22-Year-Old Elizabeth Man Wanted In January 2023 Elizabeth Homicide Was Arrested On Tuesday

Monday, May 13, 2024, 8:00 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ELIZABETH, NJ.- Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel reported, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, that a 22-year-old Elizabeth, New Jersey man wanted in connection with the 2023, New Year’s Day shooting death of Vladimir Martinez.

     According to the Prosecutor’s Office, in the early morning hours of January 1, 2023, members of the Elizabeth Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a shooting in the area of 4th Street in the City of Elizabeth.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a man, identified as Vladimir Martinez unresponsive from multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Martinez was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene. 

     An extensive investigation by members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and Detectives of the Elizabeth Police Department were able to identify Jofrandy Diaz-Ramirez, 25, and Albenys Soto-Fernandez, 25, and Yoel Sanchez, 22, all three from Elizabeth, New Jersey as suspects and the individuals responsible for the murder of Mr. Martinez.

     On February 28, 2023, Diaz Ramirez and Soto-Fernandez were taken into custody and charged with first-degree Murder; and second-degree Weapons Offenses. Diaz-Ramirez and Soto-Fernandez were processed on the charges and were lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

     Following an extensive search, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Sanchez was located and taken into custody by members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/ New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Following his arrest Sanchez was charged with first-degree Murder; and second-degree Weapons Offenses. After being processed on the charges Sanchez was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility.

     All three men will be detained pending future court proceedings in Union County Superior Court in Elizabeth, New Jersey. If convicted on all the charges the three men will face 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison.

     The investigation remains active, anyone with additional information regarding this investigation should contact Union County Homicide Task Force Detective Kevin Stanicki at (908) 527-4695 or Detective Edward Pinkevicz of the Elizabeth Police Department at (908) 558-2035. All calls will be kept confidential.

“The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”