Suspect On The Run In Late Night Murder

By: Philip Jones/Eyewitness News 9 | WNCT
Published: March 13, 2008

Deputies are looking for 39 year old Cesar Acosta.

He's the suspect in a brutal late night murder. Officers say he left Vanceboro in a white GMC Sierra pickup truck with North Carolina plate WTL-3082.

Deputies believe he also took his wife and small child with him and they might be headed for Raleigh.

One of Acosta’s roommates found the body of 38 year old Eustorgio Ramirez in the bushes in front of Cesar Acosta's house.

Officers are now searching statewide for Acosta who has killed before and only recently was paroled.

Cars jammed the street all day Thursday as folks tried to get a look at something they haven't seen here in 15 years- a murder scene.

"It's shocking, especially when you come in to work and see this right next door to your business," said Stephanie Grant, who works in Craven County.

Neighbors spent the day on edge.

Deputies and SBI agents spent the day processing the scene, collecting traces of blood.

They removed Ramirez' body early Thursday afternoon.

Now their focus is on tracking down Acosta, who may also go by the name Geraldo Cesar Acosta Martinez.

The truck he fled in belongs to the company the two men worked for- Mills Logging -- and has a chrome toolbox, an orange fuel tank in the back and a front license plate that says "Superior Land and Timber".

This isn't Acosta's first run-in with the law.

"Mr. Acosta had a prior conviction for 2nd degree murder in 1991 for Person County. He served in The North Carolina prison system and was released in 2006, and was currently on parole for that," said Craven County District Attorney Scott Thomas.

Immigration officials say Acosta was in the U.S. illegally.

As soon as he was released from prison in February 2006, they deported him back to Mexico.

But apparently has killed again in North Carolina and is now on the run. Cops are urging caution for anyone who comes in contact with him.

"Well, he's been convicted of killing one person, and he's a suspect in another murder. So I would say certainly, he is dangerous. And anybody should be careful if they see him," remarked Thomas.

Officers say if you do see Cesar Acosta, call 911 immediately.

You can also call the Craven County Sheriff's Office at 252-636-6620.