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STAMFORD, Conn. James Decrescenzo was killed for less than $100 in loose change, Lt. Diedrich Hohn of Stamford police said Tuesday as he released more details of the June 25 murder after the arrest of two suspects Monday.
Ivan Silva, 19, came up from behind the victim and knocked him out while he was distracted by Elmer Saenz-Machado, 35, Hohn said. The two then attacked and killed Decrescenzo as he began to regain consciousness while they were robbing Uncle Bucks Laundromat, Hohn said.
They didn't get much money, Hohn said. Decrescenzo did not have any money on him, and there wasnt much at the Laundromat, Hohn said.
Silva was the mastermind, enlisting Saenz-Machados help to divert the victims attention so he could sneak up behind him, Hohn said. Silva decided to rob the Laundromat on Fairfield Avenue to impress the MS-13 Gang, the lieutenant said.
After a lot of old-fashioned police work reviewing hours of video footage, speaking with witnesses and collecting evidence investigators came up with the two suspects, he said. There are no other suspects, Hohn said.
Silva admitted to the Laundromat crimes during an interview after his arrest, police said.
Both were charged with murder, first-degree robbery and conspiracy. Each was held on $1 million bond after arraignments Tuesday.
After the robbery-murder, police believe Silva fled Stamford for New Jersey and returned Monday to turn himself in, Hohn said. Police have two other outstanding warrants for his arrest, one on charges of second-degree burglary and conspiracy with $5,000 bond and the other on charges first-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree assault and conspiracy with $5,000 bond.
Saenz-Machado was arrested last month in an unrelated burglary and assault, which Hohn described as not serious. But the charges kept him in custody before he was charged in the Laundromat death, Hohn said.
Decrescenzo, 50, most recently lived on Main Street in Stamford and ran a business out of the Laundromat. He was a native of Port Chester, N.Y.
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