BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- An Everett man suspected of murder is in Whatcom County Jail, accused of shoplifting.

Everett Police Spokesman Aaron Snell says 31-year-old Derec Donnelly is suspected in the murder of 23-year-old Luis Verduzco in an apparent attempt to steal his drugs.



Verduzco was found dead in the backyard of a vacant Everett house April 24.

Bellingham Police Spokesman Mark Young says Donnelly was arrested Wednesday night at Macy’s in the Bellis Fair Mall for stealing clothes.

He says it raised a red flag when officers determined the name Donnelly had given them was fake.



Snell says Donnelly will be transferred to Everett police once he is finished with the shoplifting charges here in Bellingham.