August 21, 2015
Four suspects were arrested Friday afternoon after in the robbery and homicide of a 17-year-old male whose body was left on the side of a roadway in East Bradford Township, the Chester County District Attorney's Office announced.
Officers with the West Chester Police Department responded to a call at approximately 10:20 p.m. Thursday night on the 700 block of Hillsdale Road in East Bradford Township. The victim's body, first spotted by a motorist, was found at the scene and identified as Cristian Santiago.
"This was not a random act," District Attorney Tom Hogan said. "The victim was targeted."
The Chester County DA's office announced that defendants Gerald Myers, Onrey Winfield, Darrell Woodward, and Byron Stevens have been arrested and charged with conspiracy, murder, robbery, and related offenses.
According to the release, the four defendants set up a sham drug deal, robbing and killing Santiago after taking a quarter ounce of marijuana and $30 from him. Winfield, an acquaintance of Santiago's, allegedly arranged for a deal with Myers to take place at a gas station, knowing that Myers planned to rob the victim.
Woodward and Stevens, both of Coatesville, allegedly joined Myers on the trip. Once Santiago was in the car with the three defendants, they allegedly shot him in the chest at close range and dropped his body onto a deserted areas of Hillsdale Road.
"This case is a prime example of a brutal and senseless killing," Hogan said. "The victim is dead, leaving behind a grieving family. The defendants are facing murder charges. All over a little marijuana and a few dollars."
