The man accused of killing an Oceanside man was discovered just steps from the victim's home, police said Monday.
John Roth was found dead by his wife when she came home from work on Aug. 14.
Homicide investigators said DNA evidence from the crime scene provided information leading them to Carey Lamond Reid, Jr., 21. Reid is known to be a transient who lives in Oceanside.
On Sunday, Oceanside police officers were called to a section of North Coast Highway for a person laying on the ground in a parking lot. Officers determined the man to be Reid and took him into custody.
The parking lot is located directly behind the apartment where Roth was found dead, police said.
Investigators believe a burglar entered Roth's home. The back door was open and Roth might have been sleeping before the burglar killed him, OPD said.
Police did not say how Roth died but said that he lost a lot of blood from a significant injury to his upper body.
Jewelry, a laptop, Roth's widow's wedding ring, and a number of antique unique Chinese coins were stolen from the home.
Roth's widow Zui Pang told NBC 7 she was thankful for the hard work of the police department and the support from the community over the last two months.
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"I hope John is in heaven watching over us," she said. "He got his justice."
Investigators say the 77-year-old veteran was loved around town.
"John was a little bit of a celebrity if you will," OPD Detective Erik Ellgard said. "He was known in many establishments downtown."
