By NC WANTED Staff

Posted: Sep 8, 2008
Updated: Nov 21, 2008

Cary police announced Friday that the car allegedly stolen by Arnulfo Cobos was recovered in Anson County. Cobos is wanted for the murder of Maria Teresa Herrera-Diaz.

in September, police issued an all-points bulletin asking authorities in nearby states to be on the lookout for Cobos. Two days earlier, Diaz's body was found by her roommates at 102 Dunhagen Place in Cary. The cause of death has not been released, but preliminary autopsy results determined it was a homicide.

Cobos, 45, was living with Diaz, 29, and police described their relationship as common law marriage.

The morning Diaz's body was found, Cobos allegedly stole a silver Saturn L-300 from the home and fled. He is wanted on charges of murder and felony larceny of a motor vehicle.

The car was found by authorities with Anson County  Sheriff's Office. It was parked off the roadway in operable condition with the keys inside. Police believe the car had been abandoned there for an extended period of time.

“We are continuing to actively investigate this tragic crime and ask anyone with any information about Mr. Cobos or his whereabouts to please call the Cary Police Department,” said Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore in a news release.

Cobos is an Hispanic man, standing 5 feet 6 to 7 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. In a picture distributed by police, he has a mustache, and police said he also has a goatee.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Arnulfo Cobos, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED (1.866.439.2683) or click on "Report a Tip" Your identity can be kept confidential.

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From Earlier Reports:

Cary Police issued an all-points-bulletin Monday, asking authorities in nearby states to be on the lookout for Arnulfo Cobos.

Police issued a warrant for Cobos' arrest in the death of his girlfriend, Maria Teresa Herrera-Diaz.

Diaz' body was was found by her roommates Saturday morning at her home at 102 Dunhagen Place. The cause of her death has not been released.

Police ruled the case a homicide after they received preliminary autopsy results Sunday.

Investigators believe Cobos left the home he shared with Herrera-Diaz and some other people between 4:15 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. Saturday, driving a stolen silver 2004 Saturn L-300, with North Carolina license plate number XWT-5469. They issued the alert for the Saturn Monday morning.

Police described Cobos as an Hispanic man, about 50 years old, standing 5 feet 6 to 7 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. In a picture distributed by police, he has a mustache, and police said he also has a goatee.

A corporate spokeswoman for Herrera-Diaz's employer said, “We were shocked to learn this. She was an excellent employee. She never had any problems. Always had a smile on her face and worked very hard.”

Anyone with information related to this incident should call the Cary Police Department Watch Commander at 919-469-4016.