San Diego police arrest suspect in Christmas Eve murders


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SALT LAKE CITY — Police in San Diego have arrested the man they believe killed two Utah County natives outside a California mall on Christmas Eve. They say the suspect also shot and killed a third person, whose body was later found inside the trunk of a car.

Carlo Gallapo Mercado, 29, was booked into jail Saturday for investigation of three counts of first degree murder.

Mercado is accused of killing Ilona Flint and Salvadore Belvedere, both 22 years old, in the early morning hours of Dec. 24, 2013. They were gunned down in the parking lot of Mission Valley Mall, police said.

The body of Gianni Belvedere, Salvatore Belvedere’s 24-year-old brother and Flint's fiancé, was found on Jan. 17, 2014, in Riverside, California. He too had been shot, and his body was dumped in the trunk of his own car.

The family of the Belvedere brothers spoke to media in San Diego Saturday evening.

"The detectives told us an arrest had been made for all three murders. Upon hearing this news, my family was overcome with emotion and relieved at the same time," said Antoinette Belvedere, sister to the murdered brothers.

"Our families want to extend our deepest appreciation and thanks to the men and women of the San Diego Police Department," she said.

Police did not release a motive for the killings.

For more information about the arrest, visit www.nbcsandiego.com.

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