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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gary man gets 45 years in pawn shop owner's slaying
A Gary man was sentenced to 45 years Tuesday in a pawn shop owner's slaying. Derek Sanders, 24, the alleged shooter, pleaded guilty in April to murder in the Nov. 17 death of Brandon Cruz, 50, of Lake Station. Hilda Cruz, the victim's mother, said his death was 'brutal' and 'cold-blooded.' His fiancé Julie Bagan said her life was 'broken.' She asked Judge Natalie Bokota to 'protect Brandon's legacy' and give Sanders a maximum sentence. The plea outlined a 45-year term, which is the minimum sentence for murder. Deputy Prosecutor Veronica Gonzalez asked Bokota to accept the plea's terms. Defense lawyer Cipriano Rodriguez noted his client 'took responsibility' and they were able to close the case 'swiftly.' Sanders spoke briefly in court, saying he wanted to pay his debt to society. Bokota acknowledged Sanders was 'devastated' to have such a long prison sentence, but was still capable of growth and change. Co-defendant Charles Garcia-Berrios, 32, the alleged driver, is in the middle of bail hearings to see if a judge will release him before trial after evaluating his case's strength. Gary Police responded at 11:30 a.m., Nov. 17 to We Buy Gold, 3720 Broadway Ave. Cruz was found shot in the back of the head just inside the store. Just before he went inside the pawn shop, the shooter dropped a purple cellphone on the ground that police later tied to Sanders. A detective wrote there was a short struggle before the man shot Cruz, then ran off. Police used license plate readers and video to track the driver about a half hour after Cruz was killed to a Hammond gas station near Grand Boulevard and 169th Street. One man with neck tattoos – later identified as Garcia-Berrios – went inside. The Buick was registered to Garcia-Berrios's wife. Sanders was arrested Dec. 9 at his apartment. Officers found clothes similar to the shooter there, according to charging documents. Cruz was 'devoted' and 'hardworking,' who ran the pawn shop for 17 years, according to his obituary. He was a regular member of Family Christian Center in Munster. He had an 'eye for quality,' 'love for jewelry' and 'impeccable style.' He is survived by his fiancé and kids. mcolias@
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mental competency evaluation ordered for alleged Portside Pub killer
A man who allegedly killed two people and wounded three others, including his girlfriend, at a Hammond bar will undergo a court-ordered mental competency evaluation, records show. Caprice Cashaw, 31, of Merrillville, is charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Each charge includes a firearms enhancement in the commission of the crime. He is in custody, being held without bond. Two psychologists were ordered to evaluate him. Such reports typically take a long time to complete and it is extremely rare for a defendant to be declared incompetent for trial. Court records allege Cashaw — a heavy gambler — just lost at least $7,000 on March 30 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond before he randomly pulled over near the Portside Pub, 1516 Indianapolis Blvd., and started beating his girlfriend. Four people in the bar stepped outside to help her. When she tried to run, he opened fire. Bartender Paul Olivares, 25, of Whiting, and patron Lorraine Reyna, 59, of Whiting, were killed outside. Cashaw's girlfriend was shot multiple times and survived. His next court date is Aug. 6. In a Facebook post after the shooting, Portside Pub said they were 'devastated and heartbroken.' Representatives could not be immediately reached for comment Friday. mcolias@
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Illinois man gets 10 years as accomplice in double slaying outside Hammond bar
An Illinois man got 10 years Wednesday after he signed a plea deal as an accomplice in a double slaying near a Hammond bar, records show. Gerardo Gudino, 30, of Sauk Village, Illinois, admitted in January to two counts of assisting a criminal. Hammond Police were called at 3:35 a.m. Oct. 7, 2021, to the 700 block of Locust Street where a man shot in the head was slumped over in the passenger seat of a tan Honda Civic. The car had been hit by bullets multiple times. A second man was dead in the front yard after he was shot multiple times in the chest and stomach, according to the affidavit. Witnesses said they heard 20-30 shots. The man in the car was identified as Deandre Easter, 27, of Calumet City, Illinois, while the man in the yard was Danniel Gamez, 26, of East Chicago. Gamez had cash in his right hand. Police believed co-defendant Jorge Garza thought Gamez was an easy mark to rob for a gun, charges state. Both intended to rob each other, according to the affidavit. Garza got 24 years in January 2023. Co-defendant Javier Galvan's sentencing is July 1. The case was before Judge Gina Jones. Deputy Prosecutor Maureen Koonce was assigned and defense lawyer Josh Malher represented Gudino. mcolias@
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gary man convicted of marijuana dealer's slaying
After fifteen minutes, a jury convicted a Gary man in a marijuana dealer's killing. Tyrone Reno, 34, was convicted of murder in the Nov. 15, 2021, death of Quintez Johnson, plus a gun enhancement. He faces up to 85 years. His sentencing is June 13. Prosecutors showed an apartment surveillance video minutes after Johnson was killed that showed an unmasked man looking directly at the camera as he fled down the stairs with a stolen backpack. They argued it was Reno. Defense lawyers Natalie Williams and Amishi Sanghvi pushed back, saying the identification was incorrect. There was no fingerprints or DNA linking him to the crime, Williams argued. No weapon was recovered. He was arrested two years later. Gary Police responded Nov. 15, 2021, to an apartment building on the 1300 block of W. 5th Avenue for a homicide. Detectives found a trail of marijuana up the stairs to an open Pringles can inside a third-floor apartment. Johnson, 31, was lying on the sofa. He had been shot twice in the head. There were no signs of struggle. Security cameras showed a man — later identified as Reno — arriving at Johnson's apartment, then fleeing about three minutes later. He had a handgun and a marijuana bag. Police believe Johnson was shot around 2 p.m. While a patrolman was writing a report at the Gary Police Station, 555 Polk St., a man who matched the one seen on the video walked by him and a colleague. He was wearing the same clothes, including a black hoodie with white lining and brown tag. The other cop approached him. Reno gave his name but he wasn't arrested since the man in the video wasn't identified yet. When Detective James Nielsen later interviewed him, Reno said one picture 'looks like me,' while the second, he admitted, 'that's me,' Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe told jurors earlier this week. A witness said Johnson started selling marijuana a month earlier to help pay his bills. Investigators used 'facial recognition software' to help match security footage outside the Gary Police station to the man seen at Johnson's apartment. mcolias@
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gary man convicted of marijuana dealer's slaying
After fifteen minutes, a jury convicted a Gary man in a marijuana dealer's killing. Tyrone Reno, 34, was convicted of murder in the Nov. 15, 2021, death of Quintez Johnson, plus a gun enhancement. He faces up to 85 years. His sentencing is June 13. Prosecutors showed an apartment surveillance video minutes after Johnson was killed that showed an unmasked man looking directly at the camera as he fled down the stairs with a stolen backpack. They argued it was Reno. Defense lawyers Natalie Williams and Amishi Sanghvi pushed back, saying the identification was incorrect. There was no fingerprints or DNA linking him to the crime, Williams argued. No weapon was recovered. He was arrested two years later. Gary Police responded Nov. 15, 2021, to an apartment building on the 1300 block of W. 5th Avenue for a homicide. Detectives found a trail of marijuana up the stairs to an open Pringles can inside a third-floor apartment. Johnson, 31, was lying on the sofa. He had been shot twice in the head. There were no signs of struggle. Security cameras showed a man — later identified as Reno — arriving at Johnson's apartment, then fleeing about three minutes later. He had a handgun and a marijuana bag. Police believe Johnson was shot around 2 p.m. While a patrolman was writing a report at the Gary Police Station, 555 Polk St., a man who matched the one seen on the video walked by him and a colleague. He was wearing the same clothes, including a black hoodie with white lining and brown tag. The other cop approached him. Reno gave his name but he wasn't arrested since the man in the video wasn't identified yet. When Detective James Nielsen later interviewed him, Reno said one picture 'looks like me,' while the second, he admitted, 'that's me,' Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe told jurors earlier this week. A witness said Johnson started selling marijuana a month earlier to help pay his bills. Investigators used 'facial recognition software' to help match security footage outside the Gary Police station to the man seen at Johnson's apartment. mcolias@
