Arizona’s top prosecutor says he won’t extradite a suspect wanted in New York City for the murder of a sex worker, citing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s controversial record prosecuting violent criminals criticized.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said at a press conference Wednesday that she would not release 26-year-old Raad Almansoori to New York City authorities, preferring to keep him locked up in Arizona rather than posing a danger to the public. He said it was safe. He could be fired under Bragg.
Mr Almansouri, who Mr Mitchell labeled “dangerous and violent”, was the son of 38-year-old mother-of-two Denise Oleas Arancibia, who was found dead inside the Soho 54 Hotel on Watts Street in February. He is wanted by the New York City Police Department on suspicion of brutally murdering Mr. 8. Police say she died after the suspect hit her in the head with an iron, and a piece of plastic from her appliance was found embedded in her skull.
Denis Oleas-Arancibia (left) and Raad Almansouri (center and right). (Fox 5, Surprise Police, NYPD)
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Al-Mansoori was arrested by police earlier this week for allegedly stabbing two women in Arizona. Police said he tried to rape one of them at gunpoint in a McDonald’s bathroom. Oleas-Aranchibia was out on bail in 2023 when he was murdered in Sumter County, Florida, after allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting another sex worker.
Ms Mitchell said she did not trust Mr Bragg to prosecute Mr Al-Mansoori, despite the severity of his crimes.
“I know there has been discussion that the city of New York wants to extradite this person, but this is in no way directed at the NYPD,” Mitchell said. “We know they have done a hard job and a good job, but we do not agree to extradition.”
“I have instructed my extradition lawyer not to agree to this. We are going to keep him here. This is a mandatory prison sentence.”
“And Alvin Bragg, having observed the Manhattan DA’s treatment of violent criminals in the New York area, I think it’s safer to keep him here and lock him up so he can get out. They will no longer be able to do this to individuals in our region, state, county, or anywhere in the United States. ”
“He is being held without bail, which means there is no amount of money he can pay to be released from custody at this time.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said New York City officials said it would be safer for the public to keep 26-year-old Raad Almansouri locked up in Arizona than risk his release under the Bragg administration. He said that he would not be released. (Fox 10 Phoenix)
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Mr. Bragg has come under fire several times during his time as Manhattan prosecutor, with critics arguing that he is soft on crime and does not prosecute the most heinous criminals. Several illegal immigrants arrested for attacking two New York City police officers in Times Square were initially released without bail.
He also entered into a mistress contract with a career criminal who continued to beat up women at random, slapped the wrist of a man who assaulted a 55-year-old nurse, and imprisoned a bodega owner, but ultimately He was even ridiculed for releasing him. A man who killed an aggressive ex-convict who had attacked him for murder. He is also indicting former President Trump for allegedly paying hush money ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
But a spokesperson for Mr. Bragg pushed back against Mr. Mitchell’s comments, saying that while murders and shootings have declined since Mr. Bragg took office, the Big Apple’s homicide rate is lower than that of Phoenix, Arizona’s capital. Stated.
“It’s very concerning that Prosecutor Mitchell is playing politics with murder investigations. We take the safety of New Yorkers seriously in Manhattan, which is why since Mr. Bragg took office, there have been 24 murders. % and shooting incidents are down 38%.” A spokesperson said in a statement published in X.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was criticized Wednesday by Maricopa County Attorney General Rachel Mitchell. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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“New York City’s homicide rate is less than half that of Phoenix, Arizona, and that’s thanks to the hard work of the NYPD and all of our law enforcement partners.”
“Our refusal to demand justice and full accountability for the deaths of New Yorkers is a slap in the face to them and to the victims in our cases.”
New York City police are searching for Almansouri, who was seen leaving the scene wearing the same tight leggings that Oreas Arancibia wore when she checked into a hotel the day before. It is said that it has been done. Police said a blood-splattered pair of men’s pants was found next to Oleas Aranchibia’s body.
Raad al-Mansouri, who police say was wearing Denise Oleas-Aranchibia’s leggings after she was murdered. (New York City Police Department)
Oleas Aranchibia came to the United States from Ecuador five years ago with her 18-year-old son, but left behind her other son.
Al-Mansoori was arrested Sunday in a stolen car by police who were chasing him after he allegedly stabbed a woman multiple times at McDonald’s.
Al-Mansouri was arrested in Arizona on numerous charges, including attempted murder, robbery and two counts of assault. He also has an outstanding warrant in Texas.
Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
