Authorities in New York City have announced that a woman was accused of torturing and kidnapping a man she met via Instagram. She demanded a ransom of $100,000 from her brother.
Valerie Rosario (21), allegedly “lured”, the unidentified victim, 24 to a Bronx apartment, on February 7, according to the New York City Police Department.
Two men with guns allegedly waited for him to enter the apartment and entered it after him.
According to a complaint filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, one of the men struck the victim with a gun. According to the complaint, the suspects took the victim’s body and placed it in a tub. It claims that they then put flammable liquid on the victim, set fire to him and repeatedly stabbed him with knives.
The victim’s brother reported that he received a FaceTime phone call at 2:40 p.m. and saw three masked people around the victim.
According to the complaint, one of the suspects cut the victim while saying, “Give us $100,000 or else we will kill you.”
According to police, the victim was then driven from his Bronx apartment to Queens by a detective who saw one of the suspects riding in a van equipped with a knife. Javier Vargas (24 years old), was arrested in Bronx on February 7th and charged with robbery and assault, kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.
Police said that the victim was found wrapped in a blanket and taped to his nose and mouth in the back seat of the van. He was stable when he was brought to the hospital.
Rosario and Michael Candelario were taken into custody Wednesday. They were charged with attempted murder and robbery as well as assault and kidnapping.
Rosario was last week arraigned. Rosario was arraigned last week by Judge Soma, who granted a request by the prosecutors to remand her in custody. Raymond Loving, Rosario’s lawyer, stated that she denies all the allegations against her.
Two other defendants were also arrested and are currently in custody. Their lawyers could not be reached immediately.
