Man Killed Over $600? Neighbors Say Yes. | News

Police find a man murdered in an assisted living center. And they believe they have the man responsible; he was originally arrested for drunk driving.

Merced Police got a tip about a local transient, 21-year-old Evan Lovett, telling others at this motel he had just killed someone and needed to go to Mexico.

Police went to the motel but didn't find Lovett. They say moments later, the 21 year old was involved in a drunk driving accident.

Police ran the car's registration Lovett was driving, and were led to this assisted living center, where police found the car's owner dead in the bedroom.

Police are not releasing the motive, but neighbors say it was an ongoing dispute over money.

Patricia Carrow says Lovett worked for the assisted living center for about four months.

She says, "Evan got paid, he's supposed to get paid about $1,800 dollars, but he only gave him $1,200."

Police are not releasing the name of the victim, only saying it's a man in his late 40's.

But neighbors say the victim owned a Filipino cuisine restaurant in Merced.

I spoke to the co-owner of the restaurant who fears it could be her business partner, because she says Merced detectives did come in and question her about her co-owners whereabouts, and the 2006 silver Chrysler van he owned.

Merced police investigators are asking anyone with information about this homicide, to contact Detective Chris Russell at (209) 385-4707 or the tip line (209) 385-4725. Callers can remain anonymous.