Two suspects wanted in connection with the killing of a 57-year-old man in his Chelsea apartment earlier this month have been caught in Florida, NBC New York has learned.
Edwin Faulkner, 30, and Juan Carlos Martinez-Herrera, 26, were apprehended without incident in Orlando Thursday and are awaiting an extradition hearing, law-enforcement sources told NBC New York.
They were wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of John Laubach, who was found bound and gagged in his bed, and a warrant had been issued for their arrests.
Laubach was found unconscious in his fourth-floor apartment at 212 West 22nd St. in Chelsea just before 8 p.m. March 2, when a friend went to check on him, according to police.
His arms were found tied to the bedpost with an electrical cord, his mouth gagged with tape and his face covered with a towel, authorities said.
Police sources believe Laubach met his killer on the website rentboy.com, a place where gay men can connect with other men or escorts.
Neighbors said Laubach had only been in the apartment for about a year and that he lived alone with his pet cockatoo, often seen perched on his shoulder.
"He was friendly with everyone in the building," said one man who lived on Laubach's floor.
Laubach was an active member of a Greenwich Village church and was studying to be a pastor, according to a friend.
Local
Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.
