More suspects arrested in N.J. slayings

8/18/2007, 11:21 p.m. EDT
By JANET FRANKSTON LORIN

The Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Two more suspects were arrested Saturday in the execution-style shootings of three college students in a schoolyard, marking five arrests in a case that has stunned a city where gun violence is common.

The two suspects were found in suburban Washington and are awaiting extradition to New Jersey, authorities said.

Rodolfo Godinez, a 24-year-old Nicaraguan immigrant, was arrested in a rooming house in Oxon Hill, Md., said John Cuff, an investigator with the U.S. Marshals Service.

He was being held on $1 million bail and charged with three counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and other charges, said Carolyn Murray, first assistant prosecutor for Essex County.

Alexander Alfaro, 16, believed to be Godinez's half brother, was later arrested in Woodbridge, Va., said Robert Fernandez, commander of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshals Service. Alfaro will face similar charges as Godinez, Murray said.

It could take weeks for the pair to return to New Jersey if they fight extradition, Murray said. The 16-year-old is expected to appear for an extradition hearing in juvenile court in Virginia on Monday, she said. Neither had lawyers as of Saturday night, she said.

Authorities were still searching for an additional suspect.

They were wanted in connection with the Aug. 4 slayings in which the victims were forced to kneel in front of a wall behind an elementary school and shot in the back of the head.

Authorities have said robbery appeared to be the motive.

Killed in the attack were Terrance Aeriel, 18; Dashon Harvey, 20, and Iofemi Hightower, 20. Aeriel's sister, Natasha, was shot in the head but survived and has helped police in the investigation.

Hightower's mother, Shalga Hightower, said Saturday's arrests gave her peace. "My child can rest now," she said.

Authorities had received a tip that Godinez was planning to flee to Texas and then to Mexico, according to James Plousis, a U.S. marshal who is responsible for New Jersey.

Godinez was found in the back of a far room of the apartment and had to be draggged out, said Osmund Tan, an inspector with the capital area task force.

The apartment was crowded with people, but had almost no furniture and appeared to be used by day laborers, Fernandez said.

"It was in very poor condition," Fernandez said. "There was a torn-up old couch, a television, a milk crate. The rest of it was empty except for some mattresses, clothing and trash on the floor."

Nearly 10 other people were arrested for immigration violations in the operation, Deputy U.S. Marshal Bill Sorukas said.

In Virginia, Prince William County Police said three others were arrested at the Woodbridge address where the 16-year-old was found. They were arrested on charges of immigration violations and obstruction of justice.

Previous arrests in the case include Jose Carranza, a 28-year-old illegal immigrant from Peru, and two juveniles.

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Associated Press writers Sarah Karush in Washington, David Porter in New York and Chris Newmarker in Trenton contributed to this report.

This photo provided by Newark police in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, shows Rodolfo Godinez, 24, of Newark who is wanted in connection with the killings of three college students who were lined up and fatally shot last Saturday night. On Thursday, Jose Carranza turned himself in connection with the killings and two juveniles have been apprehended. (AP Photo/Newark Police)