LAKE MARY, Fla. – A 26-year-old man was arrested Wednesday morning on first-degree murder charges in the death of a woman whose body was found inside a Lake Mary dry cleaning business.
Andre Ernesto Luciano, 26, who was found in Kissimmee, was also arrested on a charge of armed robbery.
The body of Nu Dang, whose friends and family call her "Jenny," was found inside the dry cleaning business owned by her family -- Lake Mary Cleaners and Tailoring on Country Club Drive.
Police found Dang dead in a bathroom near the back of the store.
Investigators said it appeared that Dang had been shot, but the cause of her death will be officially ruled on by the medical examiner.
Bracknell told News 6 Dang's murder hit his department especially hard because that she helps launder his officers' uniforms.
He fought back tears several times during a Wednesday news conference.
"It's very difficult when you have these events, especially in the humble city of Lake Mary," he said stopping to compose himself. "We're not accustomed to this type of crime. This person was known to all of us."
Bracknell said they believe Luciano had taken the SunRail to the Lake Mary station, walked the short distance to the dry cleaners and saw a car he wanted to steal.
He said Luciano was spotted driving Dang's stolen car more than 50 miles away by Kissimmee police at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday.
He said officers pulled him over, and they arrested him.
Luciano will be held in the Osceola County Jail until he makes his first court appearance on Thursday afternoon.
After that, Bracknell said Luciano will be brought to the Seminole County Jail and will be questioned by his team of investigators.?
Relatives who went to the store told News 6 that they had been unable to reach their sister-in-law since that morning.
Police said they expect to release more information after the medical examiner identifies the body and police notify family.
Longtime customers went to the dry cleaners looking for answers and fearing the worst
"I'm just praying it's not the lady that owns the place. She's a sweet lady. She's very respectful. She's always been real friendly and good to me," Kevin Gordon said.
Marlene Feldstein has known the store owner for decades and said two sisters own and operate two local cleaners.
"I just drove by the other cleaners and I was hoping I would see her here," Feldstein said. "I just know she worked very hard and she managed to take care of her child."