Murder Suspects Returned to Connecticut

WILLIMANTIC, CT — Two eastern Connecticut murder suspects have been brought to the state from Arizona and were to appear before a judge on Wednesday with $1 million bonds on their heads, state police said.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy himself issued the extradition warrant to bring them back to the Nutmeg State.

One suspect is Juan Chach, 24, of 136 Pleasant St., Willimantic, who goes by the street name of "El Cholo" and is also known as Juan Chach-Cahuec, state police said. The other is Ignacio Chach-Aperez, 26, of the same address, who goes by the street name of "Nacho," state police said.

They are brothers, state police said.

The murder took place in Willimantic on Nov. 13 and the two managed to slip away to Arizona despite an intensive manhunt, state police said.

Chach has been charged with murder and evidence tampering, state police said.

Aperez has been charged with being an accessory to the murder as well as evidence tampering, state police said.

State police had identified the victim as Francisco Delacruz-Coj, 32,of 38 Pulaski Court, Willimantic.

At about 3 a.m. on Nov. 13, police officers from the Willimantic Police Department responded to 38 Pulaski Court in Willimantic for a reported disturbance, state police said. Upon arrival officers located a male suffering from life-threatening injuries and provided first aid. EMS responded to the scene and subsequently pronounced the male deceased, state police said.

State Troopers from Troop K in Colchester also responded and assisted Willimantic police with securing
the scene and conducting a search of the area for other victims, none were located, state police said.

Troopers and state police dog teams also assisted Willimantic Police with conducting a search of the area for the suspects, state police said. At the request of the Willimantic Police Chief and the State’s Attorney Office, state police detectives from Eastern District Major Crime responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

After an active manhunt ensued with the assistance from Homeland Security, U.S.
Border Patrol, U.S. Marshals Office, and the Phoenix Police Department Fugitive Task Force, the brothers were apprehended in Arizona by Homeland Security Agents and the Phoenix Police Department Fugitive Task Force, state police said.

Chach and Aperez were being held at the Maricopa County Jail in Arizona.

Photo Credit: State police