Thread: NYC Murder Suspect Arrested in Luzerne County

New York City Murder Suspect Arrested in Luzerne County

Wednesday, August 8, 4:21 p.m.
By Sarah Buynovsky

A 19-year old illegal immigrant from Mexico is on his way back to New York City to face murder charges. Investigators said the suspected killer was hiding out near Hazleton.

AUthorities said he may be 19, but Rocca Mejia Cinto a cold-hearted killer who stabbed a New York City man to death on Saturday.

Mejia Cinto had nothing to say on his way back to New York City.

Police said he stabbed Anthony Senisi,44, to death on Saturday near the man's Brooklyn apartment. That day was Senisi's 17th wedding anniversary. He was returning home from buying milk for his family. He was also the brother of a New York City police officer.

"This was a brutal murder. It was a heinous crime and but for the grace of God and the state police out of Hazleton, with the cooperation and with the New York City Police Department, he was quickly apprehended after coming to our area," said Assistant District Attorney Timothy Doherty.

State police said they got a tip from the New York police department that Mejia Cinto was hiding out in West Hazleton. They said when they arrived at the house, people inside tried to hide him.

"His traveling companions, individuals that are known to him, concealed his identity, his whereabouts," said Trooper James Surmick.

The Mejia Cinto waived his right to an extradition hearing and will face the homicide charge in New York City.

Investigators said the man is a known gang member, someone local officers and prosecutors are thrilled to have out of the area.

"It's a sad case. A young man lost his life on the night of his wedding anniversary and it's just tough. Fortunately that defendant is off the streets now. He's off the streets in our area and he's on his way back to New York," Doherty added.

Investigators said Mejia Cinto took a van service that runs from New York City to Hazleton to get to this area.

http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=6905335

Police find illegal alien, wanted in New York stabbing, in West Hazleton
By David Weiss dweiss@timesleader.com
Court Reporter

Aug 8, 2007

An illegal immigrant accused of stabbing to death the brother of a New York City police officer was found in West Hazleton early Wednesday morning.

State Trooper James Surmick said troopers found 19-year-old Rocca Mejia Cinto inside a home on Roosevelt Street.

He was arrested and taken before Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Conahan, where Mejia Cinto waived extradition. He was then returned to New York to face second-degree murder and weapons charges.

New York City police were looking for Mejia Cinto in connection with the stabbing death of Anthony Senisi, 44, on Saturday.

Senisi, a father of two, had come home from celebrating his 17th wedding anniversary. He later left his apartment to buy milk. On his way home, Mejia Cinto approached him and stabbed him, Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Tim Doherty said.

Senisi struggled back to his apartment building and later died.

“It was a brutal murder,â€