Houston Police Seek Public’s Assistance in Locating Suspect Charged in Fatal 2021 Shooting on Rannie Road

HOUSTON, Texas, Sept. 1, 2023 — Houston Police are requesting the public’s help in locating Romualdo Josue Mendez, 31, a suspect charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Stacey Berghoff, 35, which occurred at 8500 Rannie Road around 4:45 a.m. on February 6, 2021. Mendez is charged in the 351st State District Court and is not currently in custody.

According to the HPD Homicide Division, Ms. Berghoff and a male friend were looking through discarded furniture when an unknown male blocked her vehicle in the 8600 block of Rayson Road. The suspect confronted Berghoff, leading to a physical altercation. Berghoff used a pocket knife to distance herself from the suspect, then left the scene in her vehicle. The suspect chased her and fired multiple shots into her vehicle at the 8500 block of Rannie Road, resulting in her death. The suspect fled the scene.

On February 21, 2021, a composite sketch of the wanted suspect and a photo of his silver Ford F-150 were released. Further investigation identified the suspect as Romualdo Josue Mendez, and a murder charge was filed on April 16, 2022. Efforts to locate Mendez have been unsuccessful thus far.

Authorities are urging anyone with information on Mendez’s whereabouts to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.