THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) --- Authorities arrested the brother of the man still sought in the killing of two young people who were found dead in a burning car in the Bronx two years ago, according to law enforcement sources.
Richard Santiago, brother of elusive suspect Steven Santiago, is accused of kidnapping and being an accessory in the murders of Jesse Perrilla and Nikki Huang, 22, who were fatally shot and burned near a Bronx golf course in 2022, sources said Wednesday.
Richard Santiago was spending time upstate in prison on an unrelated case when Bronx detectives arrested him. The charges are pending, police said.
The suspect was involved in Perrilla's kidnapping outside Huang’s house on Grand Street in the early hours of May 16, 2022, according to the source. Surveillance video captured Richard Santiago driving a black Ford sedan that pulled up near Perrilla’s silver Honda. Two men then went over to Perrilla’s car and opened the door, forcing him to get out, sources said.
Perrilla got into Richard Santiago’s black car that drove away. Steven Santiago then took the silver Honda and drove to Baruch Houses to meet his brother and other alleged "Down the Hill" gang members, according to surveillance footage.
Huang’s designer bag and phone were stolen after she finished work at her family’s restaurant, sources previously told PIX11 News. Huang’s mother, Amy Chan, said her daughter was locked out of the family’s apartment that day.
Sources said Huang complained to a friend affiliated with the “Up the Hill” gang about the theft. Several hours later, alleged “Down the Hill” gang member Brandon Atkinson was shot and killed outside of a deli on the night of May 15, according to sources. Huang was later lured out of her home.
Atkinson was Steven and Richard Santiago's half-brother, sources said.
Steven Santiago is still being sought by police, according to authorities. He was indicted “in absentia” for murder, according to sources. The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Another incarcerated gang member, Terrence White, 26, was arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, robbery, kidnapping, arson, and weapons charges on Monday, police said. White is serving time in state prison for attempted murder, sources said.
Last week, Rahul Cuya was arrested as an accessory to the kidnapping and slaying of the two friends, police said.
Cuya allegedly facilitated a round-up of cars at the Baruch Houses after the kidnappings of Parrilla and Huang, sources said. He wasn’t at the scene of the burning car but is still being considered in the crime, according to sources.
A total of five people have been indicted in connection to the incident, sources said.
This story comprises reporting from Mary Murphy.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
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