18 Year Old New Jersey Male Arrested For Philly Police Officer Murder
Yobranny Martinez Fernandez of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. will be spending the rest of his life in prison, if he is convicted in the murder of Officer Richard Mendez. Mendez was murdered last week when he came upon a gang of thieves breaking into cars at an airport parking garage. Fernandez was arrested early yesterday morning bu US Marshals.
Fernandez, 18, was allegedly with a crew of other males, presumably New Jersey residents, who were breaking into cars at the airport. When officers arrived, gunfire started and one of the males in the theft crew, Jesus Herman Madera Duran was killed. His body was dumped at the front loading dock of Childrens Hospital, by his “friends” who then drove off in a stolen vehicle.
A tip led police to the Days Inn on Route 38 who broke down the door about 4:00 AM. Fernandez was taken into custody without incident. He was wearing Mendez’ handcuffs.
Police are looking for two more individuals who were part of the crew. They received information about Fernandez because of a tip. There is a reward of almost $300,000. leading to the arrest of those individuals who are responsible. With that kind of money being offered, friends and acquaintances will turn in someone in a heartbeat.. Especially those that live in Camden, where Duran was from.That kind of money is enough to put a down payment on a house in the suburbs, and get someone out of a less than desirable neighborhood.
Officer Richard Mendez
Fernandez remains locked up in New Jersey, waiting for extradition back to Pennsylvania. Police said they had no time frame for when that will happen. There is no mug shot available of him, until that happens.
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