Dallas police arrested a man on Saturday who allegedly abducted and killed a teen who was on her way to church.
Cops arrested Antonio Lamar Cochran, 34, after investigators matched his DNA with evidence found at the scene of 18-year-old Zoe Hastings' death.
Hastings disappeared on Oct. 11, and was found the morning after, lying in a pool of blood next to her wrecked minivan. Her parents reported her missing when she never showed up to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints class that Sunday.
Witnesses said they saw Cochran speaking with Hastings at a Walgreen at about 4:40 p.m. on Oct. 11. The police stated she was at the Garland Road Walgreens to return a Red Box movie, and Cochran allegedly got into the car as Hastings moved into the passenger seat, according to witnesses.
Major Max Geron of Dallas Police addresses the media regarding the arrest of Antonio Lamar Cochran after DNA linked Cochran to killing.Dallas Police Major Max Geron of Dallas Police addresses the media regarding the arrest of Antonio Lamar Cochran after DNA linked Cochran to killing.
The minivan smashed into a speed limit sign before Hastings died, and the recent high school graduate died of "obvious homicidal violence," police said. Cochran was a "complete stranger" who did not know Hastings prior to her fatal encounter, according to a police press conference.
Detectives purportedly found DNA evidence at the scene near the wrecked minivan, and matched it with Cochran. The U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Apprehension Team tracked him down to a Northeast Dallas apartment and arrested him in less than eight hours.
"He's obviously a sexual predator that's been taken off the streets," DPD Maj. Max Geron said during a press conference.
The alleged killer is charged with capital murder and is being held at the Dallas County Jail on a $1 million bond.
Hastings' family thanked the cops for its swift investigation and witnesses who came forth and helped lead to the arrest.
"We feel one step closer to bringing closure to our family regarding this senseless tragedy," the family said in a statement.