GRAND JURY INDICTS ACCUSED KILLERS OF AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER WHO INTERRUPTED THEM DURING AN ALLEGED BURGLARY

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a grand jury has indicted two Yonkers men in connection with the shooting death of Police Officer Daniel Enchautegui.

Steven Armento, 48, was charged with two counts of Murder in the 1st degree in that he allegedly intentionally caused the death of a New York City police officer who was acting in the line of duty. The grand jury also charges that Armento intentionally caused the officer’s death during the course of committing a designated felony.

The grand jury also charged Armento, and co-defendant Lillo Brancato, 29, with Murder in the 2nd degree, Burglary in the 1st degree and Criminal Possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree. If convicted of the most serious offenses, Armento would be facing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole; Brancato would be facing a maximum sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment.

Armento and Brancato are scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on Monday, January 9, 2006 in State Supreme Court, Part A.

Police Officer Enchautegui was shot and killed on Saturday, December 10, 2005 while investigating a burglary on Arnow Place in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Theresa Gottlieb.