NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
KILLER ARRESTED IN SATURDAY MURDERMayor Stephen R. Reed this afternoon announced that city police have arrested 35-year old Martin Aquino in connection with the Saturday, July 15, shooting death of Jesus Castaneda, age 30, of Harrisburg. Aquino is now being processed by city police and will be remanded to Dauphin County prison on no bail, facing one count each of Homicide and Robbery. Reed said the incident unfolded around 7 a.m. Saturday morning when Castaneda and a teenage nephew were cleaning debris out of 1245 Swatara Street to prep it for rehabilitation. The pair were approached by Aquino, who asked Castaneda for a cigarette, and left after receiving one from the victim. A few minutes later Castaneda and his helper were inside the house when Aquino burst in brandishing a handgun, demanding money from the pair. Castaneda struggled with him and Aquino fired once, missing him. Castaneda continued to fight and Aquino fired again, this time striking him in the arm and head and causing his collapse. Aquino then fled the residence, but returned within a minute to search through the fallen Castaneda’s pockets, as well as the nephew’s pockets, taking the nephew’s cellphone, wallet and keys. Castaneda died from his wounds on Sunday afternoon. The nephew was uninjured during the incident. The Mayor said police conducted an intensive investigation in the hours following the shooting, distributing flyers about the crime to more than 300 homes in the area, and conducting hours of interviews with witnesses and neighbors. Witness information gathered during this canvassing led to the identification of Aquino as the prime suspect, and police were on their way this morning to an address in the 1400 block of State Street to arrest him when a patrol unit spotted him on the street and took him into custody. He was unarmed and did not resist arrest. The Mayor said Castaneda was earlier identified as a Jesus Solea-Serpa, based upon property owner records for the two properties he owned at 1243-45 Swatara Streets. Subsequent investigation revealed his actual name to be Jesus Castaneda. “This was a heinous crime committed by a felony repeat offender,” said Reed, “who should never have been on our streets in the first place. He was well- known to city police and has been arrested multiple times before, including for many serious violent crimes. Yet here he is back on our streets. “Unfortunately, Jesus Castaneda paid the ultimate price for this failure this weekend, and our sincere condolences are extended to his family for their loss. This is a tragedy that never should have happened.” Reed said anyone with information about the case is urged to call city police at (717) 255.3131. An English/Spanish language tipline has also been established at (717) 255.3102, with all calls handled confidentially. |
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