ICE HSI San Francisco aids local law enforcement to arrest 2 murder suspects
SAN FRANCISCO – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents located, identified, and detained two individuals suspected in the murder of 73 year-old San Francisco resident Benedict Ching.
Murder suspects 44 year-old Douglas Lomas and 35 year-old Stephanie Ching, both of San Francisco, attempted to evade law enforcement last week by traveling to Beijing, China. HSI agents here coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Beijing to intercept Lomas and Ms. Ching’s flight. They were then flown to Virginia, where they were housed in the Loudoun Adult Detention Center in Leesburg, VA. Lomas and Ms. Chang were arrested and booked for homicide.
“Homeland Security Investigations’ tentacles extend globally,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, HSI Special Agent in Charge for San Francisco and Northern California. “We are steadfast in our commitment to utilize our capabilities in the interest of public safety.”
On May 20, 2019, a missing person report was generated by the Ingleside Police Department for Mr. Ching. A co-worker contacted a family member of Mr. Ching to advise her that he did not show up for work, May 18, 2019. May 20, 2019, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Ingleside Police Officers accompanied Mr. Ching’s family member to his home to conduct a well-being check. Police entered the home and discovered a body, believed to be Mr. Ching. Investigators determined that his disappearance and death was a result of foul play.
The San Francisco Police Department Homicide Detail began an investigation that led to the identification of the two suspects. Homicide investigators then received information that Lomas and Ms. Ching were in route to China.
According to a San Francisco Police Department press release, the arrest of Lomas and Ms. Ching was possible due to the assistance of HSI San Francisco.
“HSI was instrumental in locating and coordinating this arrest without incident,” the press release stated.
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