FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County prosecutors formally filed capital murder charges Friday in the stabbing death of a Springdale man.
Juan Pablo Perez-Lopez, 27, told police during questioning he stole a knife from Walmart then stabbed Jesus Villalobos, 48, on Feb. 13.
Perez-Lopez is set to be arraigned Wednesday morning before a magistrate judge in Washington County Circuit Court.
Perez-Lopez is in the Washington County jail without bond.
Capital murder is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Prosecutors have not determined if they will seek the death penalty.
Perez-Lopez agreed to waive his Miranda rights and talked to detectives after his arrest, according to police reports.
Perez-Lopez told police he took his car to be repaired Feb. 9. at Villalobos’ business, Latino Tires.
He returned the following Monday and Tuesday and was told both times more parts had to be ordered, according to police. Perez-Lopez told police he felt Villalobos was making him out to be a fool.
Perez-Lopez said he went to Walmart, stole a knife and returned to Latino Tires on Wednesday. Before going into the business, Perez-Lopez said he pulled the knife out of his backpack and put it in his jacket pocket.
While in the office of Latino Tires, Perez-Lopez said he stabbed Villalobos, according to police.
Motorists alerted Springdale police about two men fighting on Huntsville Avenue, one of them had a knife and was riding away on a bicycle. Police found Perez-Lopez on a bicycle with a knife, then found Villalobos with multiple stab wounds.