In a previous post concerning the robbery and assault of the owner the St. Moritz apartment complex in Edgewater, New Jersey, we reported that a couple who lived in the building had been arrested and charged witharmed robbery, aggravated assault,kidnapping, armed burglary, and weapons offenses, among other crimes. In a follow-up involving the case, another two individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, one of whom fled the state following the incident.
According to police, on November 26th, four men broke into the apartment of the owner of the St. Moritz, Fred Daibes, assaulting him and stealing money and other valuables. Our initial post reported the arrests of 30-year-old Adonis Sepulveda and 26-year-old Ramona Mercado-Vasquez, residents at the apartment complex, who subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The couple’s lawyers claimed that they were framed by one of the building’s employees, in an attempt to explain the $2 million in cash, as well as items such as gold and jewelry, that were discovered in their residence. Following the charges filed, Sepulveda and Mercado-Vasquez have been detained at the Bergen County Jail, with their bails set at $1 million each.
An additional arrest was made in connection with the incident; however, authorities just recently revealed the identity of the third alleged offender, 20-year-old Alexander Suarez.
In a breakthrough for the case, officials from local and federal agencies recently apprehended the alleged fourth member of the group who carried out the November 26th burglary. According to Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli, authorities were seeking to question 46-year-old Jorge Valencia, a live-in employee at the St. Moritz, before he fled the state. As a result, a fugitive from justice warrant was issued for his arrest approximately two months ago.
Valencia was taken into custody near Boston, Massachusetts and is now facing charges forconspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed burglary, theft, conspiracy to commit the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons and devices, and hindering apprehension or prosecution. Valencia is currently waiting to be extradited to New Jersey, at which time his bail will reportedly be set at $1 million without a ten percent option.
For more information, access the following article: Authorities capture Edgewater fugitive wanted in luxury apartment robbery, beating
