PHOENIX — Phoenix police have made an arrest in a homicide more than 40 years old.
Authorities announced today that Glenn Edward Williams was arrested for the 1978 murder of 23-year-old Fernando Calleros.
Detectives say on the morning of June 10, 1978, Calleros was found beaten to death in the bed of a pickup truck outside a business on Illini Street, near Broadway Road and 32nd Street. A woman was also found in the bed of the truck beaten and sexually assaulted, but survived.
Glenn Williams, 21-years-old at the time, was arrested the following year after fingerprints linked him to the crime. He denied the allegations and was eventually released due to lack of evidence.
Because there is no statute of limitations on homicide, the case was reevaluated in 2019 by the Phoenix Police Department Cold Case Homicide Squad. Working with scientists from the department's Crime Laboratory, they began reexamining evidence obtained back in 1978. Using today's technology, the scientists were able to link Williams to the crimes through DNA evidence.
On Wednesday, the 62-year-old Williams was taken into custody and interviewed once again by detectives. He continues to deny the allegations. However, based on evidence originally gathered at the scene and testing done recently, a probable cause was developed to charge him with the homicide and the sexual assault beating, according to Phoenix police.
Even though an arrest has been made in this case, detectives are asking anyone who may have information concerning this investigation to contact the Phoenix Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau at 602-262-6141. To remain anonymous call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.
