Criminal homicide suspect extradited to Luzerne Co.
WEST HAZLETON BOROUGH, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police Troop N Captain Norman Cramer and Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce announced Friday that the suspect in a four-year-old homicide was extradited to Luzerne County.
According to PSP, Giovanni Morales Jr., 27, of Brooklyn, New York, was named a suspect in the homicide and was brought back to Luzerne County for the 2020 murder of 29-year-old Jonathan Hernandez.
PSP says on Saturday, June 27, 2020, West Hazleton Police responded to a home on Winters Avenue, West Hazelton, where troopers found Hernandez dead.
According to Sanguedolce, after more than three years the manhunt for Morales became public and he was added to the PSP “Ten Most Wanted” list.
Arrest made after man allegedly assaults co-worker with metal pipe
Hopefully, this years-long pursuit and apprehension acts as a reminder to those criminals who break the law in Luzerne County. Our memebers of law enforcement have a long memeory and will not rest until you are found, apprehended, and brought to justice.”
Luzene County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce
According to state police, Morales was arrested and taken into custody in November 2023, in Hartford, Connecticut on a robbery charge. On February 15, PSP Troop N and D.A. Sanguedolce extradited Morales to Luzerne County to answer for the alleged murder of Hernandez.
Court papers say Morales was arraigned on charges of criminal homicide, robbery, and theft by unlawful taking. He was denied bail and remanded to the Luzerne County Detention Center.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 29.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
