Stratford Man, 53, Charged In Murder Of Bridgeport Teenager

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A 53-year-old Stratford man was arrested Wednesday night and charged with murder in the shooting death of a Bridgeport teenager in September, police said.

Lonnie Mebane of Stratford
Photo Credit: *Bridgeport Police Department*

Eric Diaz was shot to death in September in Bridgeport.
Photo Credit: *Bridgeport Police Department*

Karen Tensa

11/16/2017 5:15 a.m.

Detectives arrested Lonnie Mebane at his house at 65 Masarik Ave. in Stratford, said a statement from Lt. Christopher LaMaine.

Mebane was served with an arrest warrant charging him with the murder of 19-year-old Eric Diaz, who was found shot in the abdomen at Beardsley Street and Newfield Avenue at about 10 p.m. Sept. 14, LaMaine said.

"Mebane allegedly shot Diaz during a robbery that occurred when Diaz entered his car to sell drugs to him," LaMaine said.

Diaz was transported to Bridgeport Hospital by ambulance, where he died hours, police said.

Mebane was held on $1 million bond.

The shooting death of Diaz was Bridgeport's 20th homicide of the year, police said. There have been 22 homicides in Bridgeport in 2017.

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