Suspect has been arrested in New Year's Day murder

Yuma police have made an arrest in the murder of a Yuma man whose body was found inside his residence on New Year's Day.

Manuel Jesse Salazar, 20, was arrested Friday at his residence in the 1100 block of South Maple Avenue without incident.

Salazar was booked into the Yuma County jail on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, burglary and theft in the murder of 46-year-old Gene Norman Snyder.

He made his initial appearance in Yuma Justice Court on Saturday afternoon and was ordered held on no bond.

According to Officer Clint Norred, YPD spokesman, recent developments and physical evidence linked Salazar to the crime.

"Things happened rather rapidly and we were finally able to make an arrest," Norred said.

As early as two months ago, police reported that there were no new developments in the case.

Snyder, who died of an apparent gunshot wound, was found dead in his home in the 100 block of West 25th Street at 7:08 a.m. New Year's Day.

His body was found by an acquaintance who came over to the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The murder occurred at a trailer inside Mesa Linda Park.

Salazar is also facing charges of threatening and intimidating and two counts of participating or assisting in a criminal street gang in another unrelated case.

Salazar is scheduled to appear in Yuma Justice Court at 1 p.m. Tuesday for his arraignment, at which he will learn if any charges are filed against him.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.