WASHINGTON - The son and daughter of Michael and Virginia Spevak said Wednesday that they are grief-stricken. They shared memories and gave thanks to those who have helped them since the tragic murders of their parents. Meanwhile, the man police have charged with brutally murdering the Spevaks made his first appearance in court.

"They had a baby grandson, I got married...," son Eli Spevak said of the events his parents enjoyed before their untimely deaths.

It will be a while before things return to normal on Belt Road. A police officer remains posted outside the Spevak's home still, but neighbors are relieved there's been an arrest in the couple's murder.

Jenny George, the Spevak's neighbor, said, "I'm very relieved. I've lived here for less than a year, but I've always felt extremely safe."

It appears Michael and Virginia Spevak were specifically targeted and police indicate that the alleged killer knew them before the attack.

"This was not a random crime," Metro Police Chief Cathy Lanier (web|news|bio) said in a press conference Tuesday. "We feel this was motivated by the robbery."

Police arrested 27-year-old Peiro Fuentes Hernandez of Capitol Heights yesterday afternoon. Investigators say sometime between Thursday afternoon and Friday night he beat the couple to death, took several items from their home and then made a getaway in their Toyota.

The car was found burned in an alley three miles from the Spevaks home. Nearby, they found a computer, what appeared to be a safe and Michael Spevak's burned ID card.

Police won't yet reveal exactly what connects Hernandez to the Spevaks or their home, but they say with certainty that there is a connection. Police also indicate they believe there could be more suspects involved.

"There is a connection that led to that house being entered by these individuals and as I say we have an ongoing investigation," asserted D.C. Police Inspector Rodney Parks.

Police report that Hernandez was living with his aunt in the Capitol Heights neighborhood. One woman who watched the arrest from across the street there said she was shocked Hernandez was involved with the double murder. "He goes to work in the morning, he comes in the evening and he's quiet and goes in the house," she said.

Neighbor Shavaughne Quattlebaum described Hernandez as always being helpful. She said she thought he was incapable of such violence. "To me no, I have an elderly woman in my house," she said. "He's a really nice guy."

In documents obtained by ABC 7 News, Hernandez admitted to detectives that he entered the Spevak's home to rob them. The documents said he admitted to tying up the couple with telephone cords, that he was armed with a baton-type weaon, and that he took the couple's Toyota. He then admitted that he drove the car to an alley behind Ingraham Street NW and set it on fire in an effort to destroy fingerprints.

The court documents also revealed that police obtained a mountain of evidence after searching the Capital Heights basement apartment where Hernandez lived. Between the mattress and box spring of his bed they found an eight by 10" color photo of Virginia Spevak. In a closet they found Michael Spevak's driver's license and credit cards and next to the bed a bloody pair of tennis shoes.

U.S. attorney Deborah Sines said of the evidence, "We feel this is an incredibly strong case."

The thought of additional suspects rattles nerves in the Spevaks' Chevy Chase neighborhood, but knowing that one is behind bars and hearing the police assurances that this was not a random crime gives neighbors some reason to sleep easier.

"I am glad it's solved; we don't usually have this kind of trouble over in this neighborhood," said D.C. resident Linda Pernell.