What to Know
- A suspect in the brutal death of a woman who was bludgeoned in a Manhattan hotel room earlier this month was arrested in Arizona after an alleged crime spree, according to two senior law enforcement officials.
- Investigators have identified the suspect as Raad Almansoori, the two law enforcement sources said, adding that a federal bulletin was put out about him last week.
- Denisse Oleas-Arancibia was discovered on Feb. 8 by a housekeeper at SoHo 54 Hotel on Watts Street, with plastic fragments found embedded in her head — an indication of the violence she endured, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
A suspect in the brutal death of a woman who was found bludgeoned in a Manhattan hotel room earlier this month was arrested in Arizona after an alleged crime spree spanning multiple states, according to two senior law enforcement officials.
The NYPD identified the suspect as 26-year-old Raad Almansoori, who was captured more than 2,000 miles from the city. The arrest came after a federal bulletin was put out about him last week.
Police said he stabbed a woman at a Surprise, Arizona, McDonalds Saturday after dragging her into a restroom against her will. Almansoori was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday while allegedly driving a stolen car.
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During questioning he allegedly told cops he'd stabbed a woman he tried to carjack in Phoenix the day before, on Feb. 17 — nine days after the body of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia was found in a SoHo hotel room.
According to the Surprise Police Department, detectives worked with investigators from the Phoenix Police Department to charge Almansoori with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, assault and criminal damage, among other crimes in connection to the events that unfolded in that state.
"While in the custody of Arizona law enforcement, he informs them that he is wanted for a homicide in New York City --he tells the cops they should Google 'SoHo 54 Hotel,'" NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said during a Tuesday press conference following Almansoori's arrest.
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During the press conference, Kenny provided information on Almansoori's extensive multi-state arrest history.
According to Kenny, the suspect has no arrest history in New York, but does have an extensive one in various states, including Arizona, Texas and Florida. One such arrest stems from an alleged incident in April 2023 in which Almansoori was apprehended in Florida for kidnapping and sexual assault. He posted bail in that case in September 2023.
Kenny said that Almansoori "told cops that he hurt three additional girls in Florida."
Now, Almansoori is awaiting extradition to New York City to face charges related to the SoHo 54 Hotel homicide in which Oleas-Arancibia was discovered on Feb. 8 by a housekeeper in one of the hotel's rooms on Watts Street, with plastic fragments found embedded in her head — an indication of the violence she endured, Kenny said.
Prior to Oleas-Arancibia's body being found, police said a woman called asking for a wellness check — one of a series of checks that were made by the hotel's front desk. On one occasion, despite a "do not disturb" sign on the door, a hotel employee entered the room and saw the 38-year-old Oleas-Arancibia lying covered with a blanket.
Unfortunately, the employee assumed she was asleep and did not suspect foul play.
Police were alerted to the disappearance when her son filed a missing persons report in Queens, where she lived. After an investigation, hotel staff made the grim discovery in the 11th-floor room around 10:30 a.m. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary evidence indicated the death may have been a homicide and a fight may have taken place. Police sources said an iron covered in blood was found near the woman and she had injuries to her head and all over her body.
One thing that may have helped lead police to Almansoori: his pants.
"We have video of the woman, arriving at the location, wearing a distinct pair of leggings. And later on, we have a male, leaving the hotel, wearing the same leggings. And we also have a pair of male pants in the hotel room," Kenny said.
Investigators were able to track the suspect's movements through the victim's credit card and MetroCard, which the suspect allegedly stole and had been using. He then boarded a flight out of Newark, landing in Arizona.
Oleas-Arancibia periodically stayed at the hotel, though she lived in Queens. Police said she worked as an escort and was contacted by Almansoori through social media before she met him at the hotel on Feb. 7. Her son told investigators she worked in Manhattan for an unknown man.
Authorities continue their investigation to explore possible additional crimes possibly committed by Almansoori since he allegedly admitted that "he hurt three additional girls in Florida," Kenny said Tuesday.
Attorney information for Almansoori was not immediately clear.
