Paterson murder suspect was arrested in the Bronx, authorities say
By Jonathan Greene
Published: July 16, 2016
The 29-year-old city man charged with the murder in connection with the stabbing death of a man in the basement apartment of his East 16th Street home in late June was apprehended by Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office investigators in the Bronx on Thursday, according to authorities.
Elvin Rodriguez, known on the street as Blaze, was arrested and brought back to Paterson, authorities said. Rodriguez, whose last known address is a home on Highland Street, is homeless, police said.
Rodriguez is accused of killing 49-year-old Wesley Holmes at 51 East 16th Street. Police found the victim with multiple stab wounds to the body inside the bedroom of a basement apartment at the address at 5:40 a.m. on June 25, 2016.
Holmes was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at 6:48 a.m., authorities said.
Authorities said Rodriguez has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. He could face 30 years in state prison if found guilty.
Rodriguez’s bail has been set at $750,000 with no 10-percent option, authorities said.