A Phoenix man has been arrested in connection with a home invasion that resulted in a deadly shooting involving his cousin and roommate, Phoenix police reported. Tommy R. Banegas, 41, is facing murder charges after the violent incident which occurred on December 17, left two accomplices dead, ABC15 and AZ Central report.
Police responded to an incident near 7th Street, and Southern Avenue to discover two young men had been shot. Jovanni Burciaga, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene and Mario Banegas, 16, Tommy's cousin, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. The homeowner, acting in what has been reported as self-defense, shot the two after they allegedly attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Banegas, who was linked to the crime via social media communication, denied any prior knowledge of the assailants.
The investigation by Phoenix police further revealed records from Facebook, where Tommy Banegas had discussed drug dealing, and a "hit" with his cousin a few hours before the robbery. Detectives developed probable cause to arrest Banegas for his involvement in the planning of the home invasion and for the deaths that followed the botched robbery attempt.
The vehicle found at the crime scene, a black 2006 Jeep Liberty, belonged to Banegas and a tan rifle was discovered near Mario Banegas's body on the sidewalk, according to AZ Central. Tommy Banegas's connection to the crime became clearer after the findings, including the fact that the room where Burciaga was living was Tommy Banegas's residence.
Banegas was taken into custody on Tuesday at a south Phoenix home, and his bond has been set at $1 million, per court records. He now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and armed robbery.
