Gang Members Who Murdered Man For His Bicycle Sentenced to Life In Prison: Brooklyn DA

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — Gang members who stabbed a man to death and stole his bicycle and backpack in Bedford-Stuyvesant will serve life in prison, prosecutors announced Monday.

The four defendants — Javier Ortiz, Martin Carillo and brothers Carmello and Miguel Bello — tried to rob Juan Carlos Luna-Juarez, 23, and his 27-year-old brother near Myrtle and Marcy avenues around 1:50 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2014, according to trial testimony.

But Luna-Juarez and his brother — who were returning home from work — refused to hand their money over to the defendants, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

The Ninos Malos gang members attacked, punching, kicking and repeatedly stabbing the brothers. The 27-year-old was stabbed in the back and Luna-Juarez — who was stabbed at least 10 times — died from a knife wound that punctured his heart, prosecutors said.

Police caught up with the attackers soon afterwards and found the men’s clothing spattered with their victims’ blood. They carried a knife, their victims’ backpack and their bicycle, prosecutors said.

Miguel Bello confessed to stabbing one of the brothers and two more knives were found at the scene of the attack, prosecutors said.

Carmello Bello, 28, his brother Miguel Bello, 34, Oriz, 35, and Carlillo, 36, were each sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of murder and robbery in Brooklyn Supreme Court, prosecutors said.

“These defendants – who robbed and stabbed two innocent brothers, killing one of them – are clearly a danger to society and should be incarcerated,” said Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

“The long prison sentences imposed today ensure just that and hopefully bring some small measure of closure to the victims’ family.”

The defendants’ attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

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