Gwinnett Daily Post

WINDER - A man who allegedly helped his brother evade police for three months has been arrested.

Jose Luis DeLeon, 19, was charged with hindering in the apprehension or punishment of a criminal, Winder Police Department Lt. Dennis Dorsey said.

DeLeon, of Jemyson, Ala., allegedly helped his 21-year-old brother, Yonlenon Roblero DeLeon, evade authorities since an April 7 shooting that killed a man at a Mexican restaurant, Dorsey said.

Yonlenon DeLeon is accused of killing Servando Duron Nieto at El Manantial Restaurant. He was arrested Saturday at the Park Ridge apartments in Winder after an anonymous tip led police there. Jose DeLeon was with his brother at the time of the arrest, Dorsey said, and was brought into the Police Department before charges were filed.

Dorsey said both brothers claim Mexico as their country of birth, but that Yonlenon DeLeon is fluent in English and appears to be an American citizen. He invoked his right to remain silent, Dorsey said, and has made no comment to police.

Dorsey said witnesses to the shooting stated that an earlier altercation between Yonlenon DeLeon and Nieto may have led to the shooting, but that police may never know.

"Only two people really know, and of course we can't talk to one, and we can't talk to the other," Dorsey said.

Both brothers are awaiting bond hearings, Capt. Mike Katsegaines of the Barrow County Detention Center said.

Dorsey said he believes Yonlenon DeLeon fled to Mexico before returning to Winder, and planned to leave the country again. His last known address is at 120 2nd St. in the city.

Yonlenon DeLeon was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery for wounds to Almanida Murilla, a patron at the restaurant who was struck in the head by a stray bullet during the shooting. He was also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, carrying a firearm at a public gathering, carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a pistol without a license, Dorsey said.