Deputies are looking for the boyfriend of a 33-year-old woman, who worked at a Dunkin’ Donuts and whose body was found near her home in Lakeland yesterday.
Polk County investigators said, 40-year-old Jarol Santiago, aka Antonio Vasquez is a person of interest in the murder of 33-year-old Diana Mercado.
Mercado left the home she shared with Santiago, her mother and her sister to go to work at the north Lakeland Dunkin’ Donuts on U.S. 98 North, but failed to show up. On Sunday Mercado’s vehicle was found in a parking lot of the Wells Fargo Bank located at U.S. 98 and Daughtery Road.
Mercado’s body was discovered Monday in a wooded area about 50 yards behind the home where she lived at 10947 Pathfinder Trail in Lakeland. Her body was wrapped up and lying on the ground, investigators said.
An autopsy report determined that Mercado was stabbed numerous times and several ribs were broken.
Deputies have issued an aggravated assault warrant for Santiago as a result of an incident several weeks ago where he threatened Mercado with a knife. Investigators received this information from family members after Mercado’s body was found.
Investigators also said, Santiago has an extensive criminal history out of Massachusetts including arrests for assault/battery with a Knife, attempted murder, assault, assault/battery with a weapon, along with other traffic, drug, and “non-violent” charges.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office asks that if anyone knows the whereabouts of Jarol Santiago to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 863.296.6200
