Man Convicted of Murder, Home Invasion and Sexual Assault in South Jersey

A Camden man has been convicted in connection with a 2011 homicide as well as a home-invasion robbery and sexual assault, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson said on Thursday.

Steven Alicea, 23, was found guilty of felony murder and weapons offenses in the death of 38-year-old Lori Breiding of Camden.

Alicea and 21-year-old John Gonzalez, of Camden, were both convicted of fatally shooting Breiding while attempting to rob her on the 2600 block of Cramer Street in Camden around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2011.

Breiding died of her injuries on Oct. 1, 2011.

Alicea and Gonzalez were arrested after committing a second crime they have also been convicted of. They broke into a home near the scene of the murder. The sexual assault occurred at the home.

Alicea was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault, burglary, armed robbery and weapons offenses in regards to the home invasion. He was convicted of witness tampering charges relating to both the home invasion and the murder.

In January, Gonzalez was found guilty of felony murder and weapons offenses in the death of Breiding. He was also found guilty of felony murder and weapons offenses in the death of Breiding. The jury convicted Gonzalez of aggravated sexual assault, burglary, armed robbery, and weapons offenses relating to the home-invasion.

In April, Gonzalez received an aggregate sentence of 41 years in prison. He will be required to serve approximately 32 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Alicea is scheduled to be sentenced in September.

During the jury trial, Assistant Prosecutor Peter Gallagher presented evidence and testimony showing both Alicea and Gonzalez were still wearing clothes at the second crime that matched the description of those worn by Breiding’s assailants.

Both were carrying .22 caliber revolvers. Breiding was shot with a .22 caliber round. Breiding’s purse was found at the residence where the home-invasion occurred.

Also during the trial, Assistant Prosecutor Gallagher presented evidence showing an Alicea correspondence was found in the jail by the Camden County Department of Corrections and the letter made references to both the homicide and the home invasion.