Police look for second suspect in murder
Published: October 20, 2012
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ST. THOMAS - A man police described as armed and dangerous remained at large Friday, following the arrest of another man, who police said was a co-conspirator involved in the Oct. 14 slaying of Alfredo de la Rosa Villar.
Preily Antonio Peguero Garo, also known as Jarial DeJesus, was identified as the shooter in the murder of Villar, a 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic who was living in Bovoni, according to court records and V.I. Police Department spokeswoman Melody Rames. Police are asking for assistance in locating Peguero Garo, as there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
The other suspect, Edrit Ramon Reyes Florian, 29, was arrested Thursday about 9 p.m., according to police.
An arrest warrant affidavit written by Detective Dwight Griffith does not specify which man is being accused of which crimes, but instead states there is probable cause to arrest both men on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, aiding and abetting and four counts of unauthorized use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
A press release issued Friday by Rames indicates Peguero Garo was the shooter and that Reyes Florian is being charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, aiding and abetting and four counts of unauthorized use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
Griffith's affidavit is based largely on statements from one unidentified witness who attested to seeing the entire encounter between Villar, Peguero Garo and Reyes Florian at the Alaska Bar in Anna's Retreat.
The witness saw Villar enter the bar to buy food about 5 p.m., according to Griffith. When the witness went inside, Villar already had a drink, and the witness bought a Presidente beer, according to the affidavit. The witness also saw Peguero Garo and Reyes Florian inside the bar playing dominoes, Griffith wrote.
Peguero Garo and Reyes Florian began looking at the witness as if they were looking for Villar, Griffith wrote. The witness told police he knew Villar had problems with the two men.
The witness then saw one of the suspects whisper something into the other's ear, after which Peguero Garo and Reyes Florian stopped playing dominoes and went outside to a Chevy Cavalier registered to Reyes Florian's mother, Alexi Rodriguez, according to Griffith.
After Peguero Garo and Reyes Florian went out to the car, the witness took a phone call outside the bar and saw the two men walk up the hill by the Alaska Bar, according to Griffith. The witness then saw the men walk back down the hill and saw Reyes Florian pass a .38-caliber handgun to Peguero Garo, according to the affidavit.
Eventually, Villar came outside and spoke with a second unnamed witness, Griffith wrote. When that conversation was over, Peguero Garo approached Villar, and Villar pushed Peguero Garo, according to the affidavit. Then Villar told Peguero Garo, "Kill me. Bust it. Bust it," Griffith wrote.
Peguero Garo replied, "Bust it," pulled out a gun and shot Villar six times in the presence of the first witness, according to Griffith.
That witness then ran to the police station in Four Winds Plaza and shouted to the police for help. The witness told police he knew that one of the alleged shooters, Reyes Florian, worked at the Splash and Dash car wash across the street from the Alaska Bar.
As the witness left the police station with officers, the witness saw the Cavalier drive toward them and told the officers "those are the guys" who killed Villar, according to the affidavit.
Back at the bar, the first witness told police who the second witness was. The first witness also described the suspects' clothing and identified Peguero Garo in a photo array, according to Griffith.
Villar was rushed to Schneider Hospital for surgery but died about 11:30 that night, according to Griffith.
Reyes Florian was advised of his rights Friday in V.I. Superior Court before Judge James Carroll III. Details of those proceedings, including Reyes Florian's bond amount, were not available in court records Friday afternoon.
Anyone with additional information in the case can call detectives at 715-5545 or 715-5546 or the Crime Stoppers USVI anonymous tip line at 1-800-222-8477.
- Contact reporter Lou Mattei at 714-9124 or email lmattei@dailynews.vi.
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