A 73-year-old man, Jacinto Remigo, tragically fell to his death early Saturday while attempting to escape a home invasion at his Washington Heights apartment in Manhattan. The incident occurred around 4:40 a.m., following a break-in by three burglars.
Surveillance footage reveals one of the suspects used scaffolding surrounding the building to access the property before taking the elevator to the sixth floor and admitting his accomplices via the fire escape. Once inside, the intruders restrained a 40-year-old man believed to be related to Remigo. While the younger man remained unharmed, Remigo attempted to flee through a window, leading to his fatal fall.
Reports indicate that Remigo climbed out onto a small ledge, aiming to reach another window, but was stopped by an air conditioning unit. He fell onto scaffolding shortly before 5:00 a.m. and was transported to Harlem Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The burglars reportedly stole an $8,000 gold chain and $200 in cash before fleeing. Police have not yet identified the suspects or confirmed if they had prior knowledge of the victims. The NYPD continues its investigation and urges anyone with information to come forward.
Neighbors expressed shock and fear over the tragedy. Heriberto Garcia, a friend of the victim, described the harrowing moments leading to the fall. Neighbor Richard Ramsundarsingh, living two floors below, recalled being awakened by a loud bang, only to later learn about the fatal incident. “It’s kind of scary now. You think it’s just two floors up, and someone lost their life,” he shared.
The heartbreaking event has raised concerns about safety in the Washington Heights community. As the investigation unfolds, residents are left grappling with the senseless nature of the crime and its devastating consequences. Authorities are appealing to the public for help in identifying the perpetrators of this fatal home invasion.