An arrest has been made in the death of Brewster-based cabdriver Aurélio Zhunio-Orbez, 66, who was found dead in the Croton Falls Reservoir last week.
Santos Vasquez Ramirez, 28, of Pawling, has been charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery, both felonies, following a homicide investigation that began Dec. 7.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Vasquez Ramirez was apprehended Friday, Dec. 12, at about 6:50 p.m. outside his residence in Pawling. At a Dec. 13 press conference, Sheriff Brian Hess said Vasquez Ramirez was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
At a press conference Saturday, Dec. 13, Hess said investigators were able to track Vasquez Ramirez to his home using a combination of modern technology and traditional police work.
“The arrest follows an extensive and coordinated investigation conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigations,” Hess said in a prepared statement. “The investigation involved a comprehensive review of video surveillance, forensic evidence and information developed through coordinated efforts with partner agencies. Investigators canvassed numerous surveillance systems and analyzed evidence that ultimately led to the identification and arrest of the suspect. Forensic evidence, including blood and DNA, was recovered and submitted for analysis, with testing ongoing.”
Hess said Vasquez Ramirez provided a confession to investigators following his arrest, admitting he killed Zhunio-Orbez during a dispute over a taxi fare. According to Hess, Vasquez Ramirez told investigators he dragged the victim into the woods and into the reservoir off Magnetic Mine Road after the killing.
“This was a brutal and senseless act of violence against a hard-working man who was living and serving his community,” Hess said. “Mr. Orbez was a father of four, a resident of Danbury, and someone who did not deserve the fate he suffered.”
Asked whether Vasquez Ramirez knew his victim, Hess said it does not appear the two had a personal relationship but that the suspect said he had been driven by Zhunio-Orbez in the past and that the dispute stemmed from a prior cab ride.
After questioning Vasquez Ramirez, investigators believe he choked Zhunio-Orbez, a husband and father of four who had been missing from his Danbury home for a week, to death and dragged his body into the reservoir, where it was discovered by fishermen Dec. 7. Vasquez Ramirez then allegedly fled in the victim’s car, which was later found at the Purdy’s train station in Westchester County.
Investigators declined to say how Vasquez Ramirez traveled from there to Pawling. Hess said Vasquez Ramirez has a prior criminal history that includes one felony arrest and one misdemeanor arrest.
Vasquez Ramirez was arraigned Saturday afternoon in the Town of Southeast Court. He has not yet entered a plea.
Vasquez Ramirez was led to a Sheriff’s Office vehicle on his way to his arraignment. Asked by a reporter if he was guilty, he said he did not speak English.
Investigator Levine said the case involved what he described as the most extensive use of video surveillance he has seen in his career.
“It was the biggest video canvass that I’ve ever been a part of as a police officer,” Levine said, adding that investigators reviewed footage from hundreds of properties in Putnam and Westchester counties, as well as dozens of trains and platforms, to track the suspect’s movements.
Hess said violent crime is rare in Putnam County but stressed that law enforcement will work aggressively to solve such cases.
“Violent crime is not very common in Putnam County, but when a violent crime does occur, we will work tirelessly to solve it, like these investigators did here today,” he said.
Hess thanked Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies, the Westchester County Police Department, the Real-Time Crime Center, the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, and assisting agencies including Danbury police, MTA Police, DEP Police and multiple regional law enforcement agencies.
He also commended Capt. John Alfano, Senior Investigator John Kerwick, Investigator Levine and Investigator Hayes, along with other members of the department who assisted in the case.
Hess said investigators spoke with the Orbez family following the arrest.
“They thank everybody for their tireless efforts to bring the person responsible to justice, and they’re still obviously grieving at this time,” an investigator said. “Hopefully this can offer them some closure.”
“Our thoughts remain with the Orbez family during this incredibly difficult time,” Hess said.
“The Putnam County Legal Aid Society appeared at the arraignment and provisionally accepted the case, pending conflict review,” Legal Aid Society Chief Attorney Elizabeth Costello said, adding that Vasquez Ramirez had not entered a formal plea. “Local justice courts do not have jurisdiction to accept pleas on felony-level accusations.”
Vasquez Ramirez is reportedly due back in court on Dec. 18.
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