Arizona man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman’s body found in trunk of car in Huntington Beach

An Arizona man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of his estranged girlfriend, whose body was found in the trunk of a car parked outside his parents’ home in Huntington Beach, police said Tuesday.

Officers were sent to the 17000 block of Friml Lane about 5:15 p.m. Monday after receiving reports of a family disturbance at the residence, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.

“Upon arrival, patrol officers contacted the involved parties and secured the location,” police said in a statement. “During the initial investigation, officers located a deceased adult female. She had passed away under suspicious circumstances.’’

Detectives from the Crimes Against Persons Unit were sent to the scene, police said.

“The Orange County district attorney’s office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department-Coroner Division and Crime Lab also responded to assist,” police said. “Based on interviews and evidence located at the scene, 34-year-old Richard Paul Rodriguez of Holbrook, Ariz., was arrested and booked on one count of PC 187(a) Murder.’’

The woman was identified as 54-year-old Christi Lynn Romero. Police in Holbrook had issued a bulletin on Monday about Romero going missing, and identifying Rodriguez — her estranged boyfriend — as a suspect in the case. Police said they went to Romero’s home Monday morning, but she and her car were both missing. Holbrook police said Romero and Rodriguez had lived together, but he was removed from the home when Romero obtained a protective order against him last week.

The bulletin from Holbrook police included a photo of Romero’s red, two-door sedan, a 1995 Plymouth Neon, that was believed to have been stolen by Rodriguez. The photo appears to match the sedan in which the body was found in Huntington Beach.

“It is believed that Richard Rodriguez may have forced his way into Christi’s residence and forced her to leave,” the bulletin stated. “Christi did have a 9mm pistol which is unaccounted for and is believed to be in Richard’s possession.”

Holbrook police confirmed that Rodriguez drove to his parents’ house in Huntington Beach, and police were called.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Det. S. McCollom at (714) 960-8848. Tipsters may also call O.C. Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.