Two Arrests in Connection with Fitchburg Murder

FITCHBURG — Two people, sought in connection with the murder of Luis R. Rodriguez in Fitchburg, have been arrested on fugitive warrants in Richmond, Va., according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Dax A. Gibson, 36, of 365 Elm St., apartment 24, Gardner and Ashley Fruguglietti, 25, of the same address were apprehended without incident yesterday morning at a home in Richmond. The couple had fled Massachusetts with their infant son. Virginia social services took custody of the baby.

“This is a great example of cooperative police work,” Mr. Early said. “We were able to capture the fugitives with a lot of help from several law enforcement agencies. No one was injured. We had been very concerned about the baby, but the baby is safe.”

Mr. Gibson is facing charges of murder, home invasion and armed assault in a dwelling. Ms. Fruguglietti was indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury on July 11 and faces charges of accessory after the fact of murder and misleading a police investigation.

-More-

A third suspect in the case, Dinkue Brown, 27, of 33 Adams St., apartment 6, Fitchburg, is still at large. He also faces charges of murder, home invasion and armed assault in a dwelling

Mr. Rodriguez, 26, of 82 Marshall St., Fitchburg was found about 2 p.m. June 21 bleeding on a neighbor’s porch. He was taken to Leominster Hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later. Investigators believe he was attacked at home and fled to 68 Marshall St., where he was found. They do not believe the attack was random.

Mr. Gibson and Ms. Fruguglietti are being held without bail on fugitive from justice charges. They have waived their right to contest rendition and will be brought back to Worcester County soon to be arraigned on the Massachusetts charges.

The State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office are in charge of the investigation. They have been assisted by other state police units, Fitchburg Police, Virginia State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service. A State Police Detective assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and a Fitchburg Police Detective traveled to Virginia as part of the investigation.

-30-