WASHINGTON — Arlington County detectives have arrested a Maryland man as their lead suspect in the only homicide so far this year.

Evidence and interviews led detectives to Jitesh Patel, 42, of Woodbine, Maryland. Working with Howard County police, authorities arrested him at his house Friday.

Patel will be extradited to Virginia to face murder, burglary while armed and felony weapons charges in the March 16 death of John Giandoni.

Four months ago, Arlington County officers went to Giandoni’s town home near Washington and Lee High School in Ballston and found him inside.

“Officers located John Giandoni deceased from apparent gunshot wounds,” said Kirby Clark of Arlington County police.

Detectives deduced that the 40-year-old father was targeted in the homicide.

“That’s why it was early-on determined there was no threat to the community,” Clark said.