Jafet de Jesus Rodriguez, 44 -year -old, found guilty on Thursday for murder Ashokkumar Patel But Craig meal mart In Hazelton, PennsylvaniaBefore stealing $ 14,000 Left the store and Patel to die.
Gambler found guilty of murder and robbery
Rodriguez was accused of robbing and killing 50 year old clerk Ashokkumar Patel During a holdup in Craig’s Food Mart in Hazelton December 12, 2020Prosecutors say Rodriguez ran away with a bank bag with more than $ 14,000. Rodriguez was seen wearing a face mask with white skull teeth on safety footage, when he shot store clerk Ashokkumar Patel. On the right, a police magshot shows Rodriguez. Patel, father of three, was on job for only one week. After being shot, he managed to crawl over the phone and dial 911, but died tragically before being associated with the call.
Testify Hazelton Detective Ryan Mariano It was discovered that Rodriguez was a regular in stores gaming machines. During interrogation, Rodriguez admitted $ 3,000 A few weeks before robbery.
The prosecutors argued that his familiarity with the operation of the store informed him that a large amount of cash was placed on the site for immediate payment, and this security was minimal. Rodriguez was arrested January 2021 After executing a search warrant at their home, investigators discovered several cellphones and approximately $ 3,000 cash.
Here is more information about the case
On the robbery day, Rodriguez allegedly lost money to play the store’s gaming machines and then left to the drug deals, according to the testimony. Detective Mariano said Rodriguez admitted that he had last left the store between 8: 30 and 9:30 pm– Estimated time of robbery. Search for Rodriguez’s house 130 AD. Cranberry avenueIn several cellphones and about $ 3,000 cash, the detective testified.
The jury had earlier heard that one of Rodriguez’s phone, an iPhone 11, which is connected to cellphone towers, monitors the movement at the crime site from his home. 517 W broad st Shortly before Patel was shot. GPS data later showed the phone returning to Rodriguez’s residence and then traveled to a car wash which he is the owner. 410 AD. Diamond AvenueThere, the police recovered a red and orange sweatshirt, as well as matching the organization of a robber with a mask and gloves. Prosecutors say that there was a DNA mixture from both Rodrigue and Patel in a blood on the sweets.
Before Wednesday, Angel RivieraA former Hazelton resident, testified that he once gave details of cars for Rodriguez. In the fall of 2020, Riviera stated that he got into financial trouble and borrowed several hundred dollars from Rodrigue, offering a .40-caliber lock pistol, which was obtained from someone else, as collateral. Prosecutors believe that the gun was used in the murder, although it has never been recovered. Rodriguez now faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
