Two men wanted for murder caught in Providence

Published Aug. 30, 2010 at 4:35 p.m.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Two men wanted for murders committed out of state were found in a house in the Charles neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

Police were searching for Gilberto Marrero-Alejandro, 26, who was accused of shooting and killing 22-year-old Jose Cruz-Diaz in Bristol, Conn., on Aug. 15. Bristol police had traced Cruz-Diaz to a house at 58 Commodore St. on Saturday and asked Providence police for help, said Providence police Maj. Thomas F. Oates III.

The search for one accused killer also led police to capture another -- Hector X. Vazquez-Alejandro, 24, who was wanted for a homicide in Puerto Rico and happened to be staying at the Commodore Street house, Oates said.

Marrero-Alejandro was in the back yard when the Providence police arrived at the house just before 1 p.m., Oates said. Marrero-Alejandro saw the officers and ran inside the back door, with patrolmen Matthew Nadeau and Joseph R. Hanley III at his heels. Patrolman John Reposa ran to the open front door, but a resident slammed it shut, Oates said. Reposa forced his way into the house.

Inside were the two wanted men, plus a safe containing marijuana, packaging material, and two gun magazines, Oates said.

Marrero-Alejandro was arrested on the warrant for homicide from the Bristol police. Vazquez-Alejandro was found to have a warrant for homicide from Puerto Rico and a warrant from Broward County (Fla.) sheriff's office for a probation violation on grand theft. Authorities in Puerto Rico and Broward County said they would have Vazquez-Alejandro extradited to face those charges, Oates said.

The homeowner gave the police consent to search, and the officers found the drugs, ammunition, and a bag of cocaine, according to a police report. Vazquez was also charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and marijuana. Radamel Torres, 21, who had slammed the front door closed, was charged with possession of cocaine, Oates said.

Marrero-Alejandro was charged by Providence police as a fugitive from justice and was expected to be arraigned at 6th District Court Monday.

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