Police in search of suspect in murder of 52-year-old Rockford man

Online Staff Report

Winnebago County Sheriff’s police are in search of a suspect in the murder of 52-year-old Rockford resident Francisco Hernandez.

Hernandez’s body was found in an abandoned farmhouse off Edson Road in Ogle County Jan. 10. He had been reported missing by family members Jan. 4.

A warrant for first-degree murder has been issued for Miguel Garcia, 43, who also goes by Jose R. Rojas and Miguel Hernandez. Garcia’s last known address is 1731 Samuelson Road, Rockford.

Anyone with information about Garcia is asked to call the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department at (815) 319-6400 or Crime Stoppers at (815) 963-7867.

Working off information gained through their investigation, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department detectives located Hernandez’s body late in the evening Jan. 10. Trauma to the body was noted. Rafael J. Lopez-Cardona, 29, of Rockford, was arrested and charged with concealing a homicide.

Hernandez was last seen by his family members Tuesday, Jan. 3. They reported him missing Jan. 4 and said he was last seen on the afternoon of Jan. 3 when he left his home on Shelburne to collect rent for rental property.

When Hernandez left home, he was driving a white 2004 Chevrolet pickup with Illinois 19128T. The vehicle had lettering on the sides with F&S Landscaping, a business owned by Hernandez. The vehicle was found abandoned in Crystal Lake.

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