Queens, NY — A Queens pawn shop owner was beaten to death during a violent 2022 robbery, and now the Hollis man responsible has been convicted of murder and faces decades to life in prison, prosecutors announced.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz confirmed that Rodolfo Lopez-Portillo, 51, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree robbery, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the killing of 60-year-old Arasb Shoughi.
Jury convicts defendant in brutal robbery killing
Prosecutors said the attack happened on March 28, 2022, inside Global Pawn Shop on Jamaica Avenue in Hollis. Lopez-Portillo initially posed as a customer, selling two wristwatches to Shoughi before launching a sudden and violent assault.
According to trial testimony, the defendant struck the victim in the head multiple times with what appeared to be a metal pipe while Shoughi’s back was turned. He continued the assault even after the victim fell to the ground, causing severe head and brain trauma.
Surveillance, fingerprints tied suspect to crime
After the attack, Lopez-Portillo stole jewelry, coins, and personal property from the store, including a ring taken from the victim as he lay dying, prosecutors said.
A witness entered the shop during the incident, saw the defendant behind the counter, and called police. Authorities said Lopez-Portillo struck the victim several more times before fleeing the scene.
Shoughi was transported to a hospital but died weeks later, on April 17, 2022, from his injuries.
Investigators used video surveillance to trace Lopez-Portillo’s movements before and after the crime, and fingerprints recovered inside the shop matched the defendant. Additional evidence was later recovered in Baltimore, where he fled after the killing.
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Key Points
• Rodolfo Lopez-Portillo convicted of murder in 2022 killing of Queens pawn shop owner
• Victim Arasb Shoughi died weeks after being beaten during robbery in Hollis
• Defendant faces 25 years to life at sentencing scheduled for May 11
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Arrest made after interstate manhunt
Authorities said Lopez-Portillo fled to Baltimore following the हत्या and remained there for approximately two weeks before being arrested at a Greyhound bus station.
He was taken into custody with assistance from the Maryland State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, then extradited back to New York.
Items recovered from a Baltimore residence, including coins, watches, and jewelry, were linked to the victim’s pawn shop.
Sentencing scheduled in Queens Supreme Court
The trial began on March 17, with closing arguments delivered on April 13. The jury reached a verdict after one day of deliberations.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Ira Margulis ordered Lopez-Portillo to return to court on May 11, where he is expected to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
The case remains pending sentencing as the defendant awaits his next court appearance.