Homicide Case Leads To Suspect Who Fled To Virginia: MVPD

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Mount Vernon homicide case led investigators to Virginia.

On August 1, shortly before 10:20 p.m., patrol units from the Mount Vernon Police Department were dispatched to Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital for a stabbing victim being treated. Upon arrival, officers discovered 37-year-old Mount Vernon resident Michael Clay had suffered stab wounds to his chest and arm.

Clay was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Shortly after, MVPD officers located and secured a crime scene on Union Avenue.

Detectives identified a 34-year-old Mount Vernon resident as their suspect. Unfortunately, Ronald "Eueu" Hechavarria had fled New York State shortly after the incident. He was found in Norfolk on August 12, with the assistance of the Norfolk Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in Norfolk, and the Westchester County FBI Safe Streets Task Force.

Hechavarria was apprehended at an apartment complex in Norfolk.

On Thursday, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Warrant Fugitive Unit transported Hechavarria from Norfolk and turned him over to the MVPD. He was handed over to
Major Case detectives and officially booked on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon on Friday.

Hechavarria was arraigned at Westchester County Court and was remanded to the Westchester County Jail.

"The Mount Vernon Police Department would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Norfolk Police Department, the Norfolk FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Westchester County FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Warrant Fugitive Unit for their invaluable assistance and collaboration in ensuring justice is served," Mount Vernon public safety officials said in a statement.