Man Arrested In Connection To Margate Woman's Murder

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Ft. Lauderdale police have arrested a man wanted in connection to the murder of a Margate woman.

Police were looking for Lance Symanek, 37, after the body of a 35-year-old woman was in his apartment on Pinewalk Drive North last Tuesday. They believe she was killed sometime between 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. at the Pinebrook Point apartment complex.

Margate police are still trying to determine why this happened.

"We are still in the beginning stages of figuring out the motive at this time so we are not able to figure out what the reason was," said Sgt. Robert Kriplean. "Were they girlfriend and boyfriend? There was a relationship, we are still trying to determine what the relationship was between the two."

Police say Symanek has an extensive arrest record. Records show that he's been arrested before on charges involving drugs, aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding police and leaving the scene of an accident. He was also reportedly convicted of the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer but there were no reports of problems between Symanek and the woman.

"We have not had any calls involving these two people. We have not heard of any violence between the two of them in the past," said Kriplean.

Early Thursday morning around 2:45 a.m., Symanek was taken into custody.

"He was arrested on a traffic stop and he was driving the victim's vehicle," said Kriplean.

Kriplean told CBS4'S Peter D'Oench, "We are extremely grateful to the media for putting out the information that there was an active warrant out for his arrest and we are also grateful to the Fort Lauderdale police department for their due diligence for when the vehicle was spotted and they were able to safely get this person into custody."

Investigators have released few details about their investigation but did say that Symanek and the woman knew each other.

"I really didn't know the people so I don't know what happened exactly. We'll just have to wait and see why he did it," said Charley MacIntyre, a neighbor of the woman.

MacIntyre said, "I have a lot of questions. I definitely do."

Symanek has been charged with premeditated murder.

He is being held without bond.