Ankle monitor cut and flight to Panama ends in extradition for Queens burglary suspect
Queens, NY — A burglary suspect who allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled the country has been returned to New York after being captured in Panama and extradited to face multiple charges.
Juan Acevedo, 30, of College Point, was arraigned and remanded following his return, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Authorities said Acevedo fled days after a court appearance tied to a series of home burglaries.
Investigators allege Acevedo removed his court-ordered ankle monitor on March 9 before leaving the United States. After a month-long investigation, he was located April 1 at an airport in Panama, where officials said he was attempting to travel using a forged passport.
He and a codefendant, identified as 33-year-old Jeison Figueroa Nomesqui of Flushing, were extradited back to New York and arraigned on multiple charges.
Prosecutors said Acevedo faces counts including escape, burglary, grand larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property tied to a string of break-ins in Queens between December and February. Authorities allege he and others targeted multiple homes, stealing cash, jewelry, and designer handbags.
In one instance, investigators said three homes were burglarized in a single day, with stolen property totaling tens of thousands of dollars. GPS data from a rented vehicle and DNA evidence recovered at one scene were used to link the suspect to the crimes.
A second indictment alleges additional burglaries, including one in which approximately $100,000 in cash and jewelry was taken from a residence in Oakland Gardens.
Officials said Nomesqui is accused of acting as a getaway driver in at least one of the incidents and faces separate burglary and vehicle-related charges.
Both defendants were ordered held without bail. Acevedo faces up to 79 years in prison if convicted, while Nomesqui could face up to 15 years.
The investigation involved coordination between local and federal agencies, including efforts to locate and return the suspects from overseas.
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Key Points
- Suspect extradited from Panama after allegedly cutting ankle monitor
- Case tied to multiple Queens home burglaries and stolen valuables
- Codefendant also returned and charged in connection with crimes
