A parolee linked to the deaths of two individuals in New York during a robbery spree was arrested on Friday following an FBI-assisted manhunt, according to police. Jesus Acosta, 31, was captured after the FBI announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information that could lead to his apprehension.
The NYPD expressed gratitude to their officers, detectives, and the public for their efforts in locating him, sharing the news on social media. Acosta was wanted in connection to two fatal shootings that occurred days apart, including one linked to a robbery at a Bronx deli earlier in the week.
The police reported that Acosta approached a 33-year-old man inside the 149 Grill & Deli at about 12:16 a.m., shooting him multiple times in the chest before making off with cash. Unfortunately, the victim was taken to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. His sister identified him as Tayvon Shuler, who was affectionately called “Plucky.”
The other incident happened shortly after midnight on Sunday at American Best Wings & Pizza in Brownsville, Brooklyn, where a 44-year-old man was shot in the head, while a 39-year-old sustained a leg injury. The 44-year-old was declared dead at the hospital, and a GoFundMe campaign has identified the deceased as MD Yousuf, a family man and sole provider. His family is working to gather funds for repatriating his body to Bangladesh for burial and to cover funeral costs.
Shuler’s sister took to Facebook to express her grief, saying, “I am still mentally trying to grapple with it.” She initiated a fundraiser for a memorial service, aiming to give her brother a respectful farewell.
Before his arrest, the NYPD had circulated surveillance images of Acosta, noting tattoos on his hand and forearm, along with details about his physical appearance. He stood 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed around 175 pounds, and had short brown hair and brown eyes.
Acosta had been on parole since April after serving a decade in state prison for assault and illegal weapon possession. Critics pointed out his lengthy record, with 13 prior arrests raising concerns about the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders.
In a statement, United Bodegas of America praised the NYPD for apprehending Acosta but expressed outrage at the justice system’s failure to keep such individuals off the streets. They emphasized the urgent need for reforms to better safeguard communities, calling for stricter penalties for illegal gun possession and enhanced safety measures for bodegas.
Details regarding Acosta’s specific charges or where he was taken into custody have not been disclosed by the NYPD as of yet.
