Suspect in murders of mother and daughter in Worcester captured in California

WORCESTER - The second suspect wanted in the murders of a young mother and her daughter in Worcester has been arrested. Dejan Belnavis, 27, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals Monday in San Diego, California after a traffic stop.

Captured in California

Police believe Belnavis is involved in the shooting deaths of 27-year-old Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella. They were ambushed and killed while sitting in a parked SUV in Worcester last Tuesday afternoon.

Belnavis was wanted for armed assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm without a license. A $10,000 reward was offered for information leading to his whereabouts.

Police did not get into specifics but said tips and law enforcement technology helped them "pinpoint" where Belnavis was going to be.

"This was boots and leather on the ground," Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said at a news conference Monday night. "Good old fashioned police work. Everyone was communicating. Just a great effort."

Second suspect in Worcester murders

Karel Mangual was arrested last week in connection with the shootings and held without bail. Authorities are working to get Belnavis extradited back to Massachusetts and charges against him and Mangual will be upgraded to murder.

Prosecutors say Belnavis and Mangual were seen on surveillance video opening fire on the SUV. There's still no word yet on a motive for the shootings.

"A tough week"

"It's been a tough week, it's been a tough week for a lot of people, you never expect or anticipate anything like this," Early said. "It really jolts you; it hits you hard, especially anyone who's got children."

Police traced the getaway car to Belnavis' relatives in Hartford, Connecticut, but he somehow made it to San Diego. 

"This brings great relief to Chasity and Zella's family, and also in that neighborhood and also to the Worcester Public Schools," Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said. 

Even though the family and community are relieved, everyone still wants to know why the shooting happened in the first place.

"We just want to make sure that people in those neighborhoods know that we're there, obviously we've increased patrols and that's the reason why we knew we had to bring this to a successful conclusion," Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier said.