Two jealous ex-pals of a 24-year-old Bronx man used a GPS tracker to stalk him after he posted an image of his flashy diamond jewellery — then robbed and fatally shot him in entrance of his mother, authorities mentioned.
Welfy Espinal, 25, and Lenyn Toribio, 27, allegedly murdered 24-year-old Jeremy Ortega outdoors of his household’s Bronx condominium on April 13, 2025.
Ortega’s mom, Yokasta, informed the New York Every day Information that she begged the suspects to not kill him.
“Why would you do this? Why would you kill him that method? What was all of the envy and hate for? You knew that my son was a very good individual — since you grew up with him!” Yokasta mentioned.
Ortega and Espinal had been outdated mates who “would do all the pieces” collectively of their youth, household mentioned. Ortega additionally met Toribio a couple of years earlier than the assault, his youthful sister Brianna informed the outlet.
Yokasta mentioned that she left her residence’s entrance door open for Ortega, who had forgotten his keys. She waited up for him to return and peered outdoors proper as he was trying to evade the attackers, she added.
However she might solely watch in horror as Espinal allegedly shot Ortega from behind. She rushed to his aspect and tried to awaken him, however mentioned he confirmed no indicators of life.
“They ruined my life. They killed him proper in entrance of me. It’s horrible,” Yokasta mentioned.
Ortega’s youthful brother, Jayden, informed the outlet that their mom Facetimed him “in a lot agony and misery” whereas she tried to are inclined to Ortega on the sidewalk.
“She was telling me what was occurring nevertheless it wasn’t clicking for me. For a second, I simply thought to myself, ‘Is that this actual?’” Jayden recounted.
The household believes that the killers had been jealous of Ortega, who labored as a supervisor at a recycling firm.
Toribio and Espinal allegedly stalked Ortega utilizing a GPS monitoring machine they planted on his automobile in order that they might steal his diamond jewellery, in line with a information launch from america Legal professional for the Southern District of New York.
The machine was put in on Ortega’s car with out his data whereas it was parked outdoors of his household’s condominium in Throggs Neck in early April, authorities mentioned.
The subsequent day, the purported thieves went to an evening membership in higher Manhattan — the place Ortega was celebrating decked out in numerous items of diamond bling.
Ortega shared photos for his twenty fourth birthday celebration on April 5, 2025, the place he wore two glitzy bracelets, a silver watch, a big diamond chain, and a pair of cumbersome earrings. He additionally had a lunch field with “By no means Glad” and “Diamonds” emblazoned on it.
On April 12, 2025, Toribio and Espinal allegedly adopted Ortega from a restaurant in Midtown earlier than doubling-back to stake out his neighborhood in Throggs Neck, the place they lay in wait.
When Ortega returned simply earlier than 5 a.m., the pair allegedly chased him down the road, firing at him repeatedly and nabbing a luxurious bag stuffed with his diamond jewellery, the discharge mentioned.
Brianna informed the Every day Information that the Louis Vuitton messenger bag contained a diamond watch and a Cartier bracelet.
The suspects each fled the scene, leaving Ortega to die on the sidewalk beside his wailing mom, household mentioned. He was pronounced lifeless at Jacobi Medical Middle an hour later.
Toribio and Espinal allegedly fled town and used a stolen license plate from a car parked close to the George Washington Bridge in an try and keep away from legislation enforcement detection, in line with authorities.
Espinal was arrested in New Jersey on Friday morning. Toribio continues to be at giant.
They face an identical prices for interstate stalking leading to dying and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking leading to dying.
