A second suspect was arrested last week in connection with the murder of a New Jersey man who was killed during an attempted robbery, authorities announced on Monday.
The Middlesex Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that Devon Melchor, 26, was apprehended as he boarded an international flight in Florida. On October 27, Melchor, along with Jekai Reid-John, 27, allegedly followed Sree Aravapalli, 54, from Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, to Aravapalli’s home in Plainsboro, New Jersey, where he was fatally shot.
Arvapalli reportedly won $10,000 at the casino. Surveillance footage showed Melchor and Reid-John following Arvapalli around the casino throughout the night. NJ.com reported cameras filmed a BMV and another car following Aravapalli on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and take the same exit.
Arvapalli’s wife and daughter were asleep upstairs when the fatal shooting occurred, according to WNBC. Police said that moments after the deadly incident, a farmstand camera filmed one of the cars driving back to Pennsylvania.
Following Reid-John’s arrest on October 28, one of the vehicles was discovered in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Inside, investigators found a 9mm handgun and sneakers Melchor wore at the casino, according to NJ.com.
Investigators eventually learned the debit card Melchor used at Parx Casino was also used at a Philadelphia hotel, and to buy a plane ticket after Arvapalli’s shooting death. The hotel manager confirmed Melchor had been a guest there since October 25, NJ.com also reported.
Melchor remains jailed in Florida on local gun, drug, and burglary charges, in addition to an out-of-state warrant. Middlesex County prosecutors said he is awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
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[Featured image: Ranga Aravapalli/Ruby Memorial]
