Law enforcement officials have released a body camera video that shows the recent arrest of 31-year-old Angel Cuz-Choc, who has been charged with brutally murdering a woman and her daughter. Court documents indicate that Cuz-Choc is an illegal immigrant.
Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported that 36-year-old Amalia Coc Choc de Pec was found dead in her yard last Wednesday, lying in a pool of her own blood. The 36-year-old’s four-year-old daughter, Estrella Anastasia Pec Coc, was also found dead inside the home in the bathtub. Police officials told Fox 13 Tampa Bay that both victims suffered stab wounds.
Cuz-Choc, who is believed to have been romantically involved with Amalia, fled the scene on foot and made attempts to avoid law enforcement; however, Hillsborough County deputies located the suspect in a heavily wooded area with the help of K9 units, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay. The arrest was made roughly 17 hours after Cuz-Choc attempted to flee from the scene of the crime.
According to The National Desk, Sheriff Chad Chronister deployed every available law enforcement agent in the manhunt for Cuz-Choc.
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“Not only did he commit an unimaginable crime which cruelly claimed the lives of two innocent victims, he then made the cowardly and ultimately futile attempt to evade capture. His efforts were no match for our team of dedicated detectives who left no stone unturned in their search,” Chronister said. “There wasn’t a square inch within this perimeter that our deputies did not have covered.”
Bodycam footage posted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shows a K9 agent leading deputies through the woods. After Cuz-Choc was arrested, one of the deputies could be heard praising the dog, saying, “He didn’t let go.”
Cuz-Choc is believed to have arrived illegally in the United States several months ago from Guatemala, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay. Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported that the 36-year-old victim’s roommate said the couple argued constantly and that Cuz-Choc had a history of physical domestic violence.
Court documents obtained by Fox 13 Tampa Bay state that Cuz-Choc confessed the killings to his brothers. One of Cuz-Choc’s brothers told law enforcement officials that the suspect killed the two victims because he was angry that his girlfriend had been away with friends for three hours instead of an hour and a half.
Cuz-Choc was indicted on two counts of first-degree homicide, one count of aggravated child abuse, and one count of kidnapping, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay. The suspect is expected to remain in custody until his trial.
