A twice-deported illegal immigrant raped and killed a New Jersey woman late last month, and more details of the brutal crime are unveiling.
Authorities said Jorge Rios, 33, was seen on surveillance video stalking Carolina Cano, 45, before he used a cellphone cord to strangle her, then raped and drowned her on March 24, the New York Post reported on Thursday.
Cano, a Peruvian native, was jogging while wearing headphones in the early morning that day at Jersey City’s Lincoln Park when the crime took place. Officials said her death was caused “as a result of homicidal violence including strangulation and water submersion.”
Rios was deported to his native Honduras in 2003 and 2004, and returned at an unknown time after that.
Surveillance video first showed Rios walking around the park at 5:10 a.m., seemingly without issue until he encountered Cano, a complete stranger to him.
“The male observes the victim and proceeds to walk behind her. Upon approaching the football parking lot, the victim is seen running with the male running directly behind her,” the arrest affidavit said.
“The male is seen continuing south, stopping, turning to look behind him towards the victim, and then running in the same direction as the victim,” the document noted.
Rios was not seen again on the video until 6:17 a.m. when he was leaving the park and heading to a friend’s house. Authorities said Rios then asked his friend “how much time do you think a person would get for killing someone?”
Police discovered Cano’s body around one hour later, and did not initially suspect foul play. In fact, they initially thought Cano had committed suicide.
ICE complained of “limited cooperation” from New Jersey, pointing to state directive that blocks local cops from enforcing “civil immigration law.” https://t.co/IvEawphBT4
— Asbury Park Press (@AsburyParkPress) April 5, 2019
Rios appeared in court on Thursday where he faced charges of murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault.
He is detained without bond and his case will proceed to a grand jury for indictment, ABC7 reported.
Since the murder, federal officials have slammed New Jersey’s handling of illegal immigrants and cooperation with federal agencies.
“ICE maintains that cooperation by local law enforcement is an indispensable component of promoting public safety,” the Newark ICE office said in a statement reported by USA Today. “ICE will seek taking custody of Rios-Doblado at the conclusion of his criminal proceedings, despite limited cooperation in the state.”
Lincoln Park security has increased after the incident amid residents’ safety concerns. A memorial running event is expected to take place in Cano’s honor.
Rio won’t be deported before serving out any charges he’s convicted of. The murder charge alone carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
