** UPDATE **                    

               WINDSOR LOCKS TRIPLE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

                                 Suspect Returned from Italy

   The Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad & Windsor Locks Police Officers have continued the investgation into the fatal shooting of three people that took place on Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at B&B Automotive, a car repair shop located at 36 Spring Street in Windsor Locks. The three deaths were ruled a homicide.

   During this extensive investigation, State Police Detectives and Windsor Locks Police interviewed numerous people, developed a vast amount of leads, and have compiled substantial information in this case. As a result, on 12/17/2003, State Police Detectives arrested two of the accused in the greater the Hartford area and a third person was arrested in Florida:

ACCUSED#1: MARTINEZ, Erik     DOB:10/22/82

                       12 Flatbush Ave   Hartford, Ct. 

CHARGES:        Murder  (3 counts)

                        Capital Felony Murder (2 counts)

                        Conspiracy to Committ Murder

ACCUSED#2: CASTILLO, Michael   DOB:2/26/84

                        Byrnside Ave  East Hartford, CT

CHARGES:        Murder (3counts)

                        Capital Felony Murder (2 counts)

                        Conspiracy to Commit Murder 

Accused #3   GUZMAN, Jose   DOB:4/6/81

                         5993 Branch Dr.

                        Orlando, Fla.             

CHARGES:        Murder  (3 cts)

                        Capital Felony Murder (2counts)

                        Conspiracy to Commit Murder

   The criminal investigation continued and State Police Major Crime Detectives have worked on leads and information that resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for the arrest of a 4^th person who was identified as:  BENEDETTO CIPRIANI.

   State Police Detectives had learned that accused CIPRIANI had fled from the U.S.to his native homeland Italy several days after the Windsor Locks Murders.

   States Attorney James Thomas began the process to return CIPRIANI to Connecticut to face charges in this triple murder. Utilizing the assistance of  the FBI, U.S. Justice Department Officials and Italian authorities, CIPRIANI was located and taken into custody in Italy.

   On 4/13/2004, a provisional arrest warrant was issued by the Italian Government charging CIPRIANI with three counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.  Accused CIPRIANI refused to return to the U.S. and fought extradition back to the United States.

   Numerous legal hearings were held in Italy and on 07/10/07, Ciprianni was turned over by Italian authorities to the custody of U.S. Marshals to be transported from Italy to the United States and to be turned over to the Connecticut State Police on the above stated charges.

   On 07/13/07, CIPRIANI was turned over to the custody of Connecticut State Police Detectives by U.S. Marshals. CIPRIANI was transported to Troop C where he was formally processed and held on $7.5 million bond.  CIPRIANI will be arraigned at Enfield Superior Court on Monday, 7/16/07.

ACCUSED:   CIPRIANI,  Benedetto   DOB: 8/7/55

                   LKA 55 Kyle Court  Meriden, Ct.

CHARGES:    3 counts Murder

                 Conspiracy to Commit Murder

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LT. J. Paul Vance