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Woman, man accused in Gaston County homicide arrested in Georgia, police say

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Police arrested a woman wanted in connection with a homicide investigation that is underway after a body was discovered in a wooded area Dec. 22 in Gaston County.

Doris Alvarado-Peraza, 27, was found Friday evening along with an individual who drove her to Georgia.

Police have charged Alvarado-Peraza with the murder of 28-year-old Miguel Angel Valle.

Police told Channel 9 that interviews with family and friends in the Charlotte area led them to Alvarado-Peraza’s whereabouts.

Maynor Hernan Ortega, 33, was also charged with murder, police said.

(Maynor Hernan Ortega)

Gaston County police are waiting for an extradition hearing Alvarado-Peraza for them to return to Gaston County.

Elmer Alexander Lopez, 31, of Charlotte was later charged.

The body of Miguel Angel Valle was found on Sawbill Lane in the Mallard Crossing subdivision off Crowders Creek Road.

Sawbill Lane is a paved road that has yet to be developed, police said. A resident of the neighborhood made the discovery.

"It’s crazy,” nearby resident Joshua Woodard said. “We don’t ever see anything like this happen.”

(Doris Maribel Alvarado-Peraza)

Gaston County police haven’t said how Romero died or gotten into the specific relationship between Peraza and Romero, other than to confirm that they knew each other.

Channel 9 learned that both Valle and Peraza lived in Charlotte, and neighbors said they were surprised to hear about the murder.

Residents who live near where Valle’s body was found hope the incident is an aberration.

"Well, it is concerning because it's a quiet neighborhood," resident Carol Allen said.

Mandy Deal lives in the Mallard Crossing neighborhood and said she walks her dog Cosmo by where the crime occurred every day. She said she can't stop thinking about it.

"Yeah, I've been definitely a little bit more cautious and just really thinking about who goes down there," Deal said.

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