Arrest made in murder of Las Vegas jewelry salesman

Las Vegas police on Thursday arrested a 35-year-old man in the December slaying of a jewelry salesman.

Juan Manuel Lopez faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit a crime and nine counts of possessing a credit card without the cardholder's consent. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center without bail.

The family of Edin Arellanos-Oliva, who sold jewelry, perfume and other items out of the back of his car, reported him missing on Dec. 30, according to Lopez's arrest report.

Later that day the salesman was found strangled to death in the back of his Nissan Altima. The car was parked near Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road, where Arellanos-Oliva was scheduled to meet a customer .

That customer was Lopez, according to the report.

Police arrested Lopez after he failed a polygraph test and after cell phone records placed both men near Lopez's apartment before the death.

Lopez said he had purchased $400 in perfume from Arellanos-Oliva but denied being involved in the man's death.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.