New City, NY — Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that an indictment has been handed up against Ivan John Murat (DOB 11/01/76) of 128 Ridge Road, Valley Cottage, New York and Paula Izurieta (12/02/80) of 17 Smart Avenue, Yonkers, New York, charging them with two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, class “C” felonies
On July 17, 2010, at approximately 10:30 pm, the defendants illegally entered the residence of Richard Serpico, located at 3 Chauncy Street, Congers, New York. Serpico was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 16, 2010 in the Town of Clarkstown.
Murat and Izurieta entered the residence through a basement window and unlocked the front door. The defendants were observed by a neighbor loading the victim’s property into a black Ford sedan.
On July 18, the defendants returned to the residence and stole more property. The duo was observed by a second neighbor who called a friend, who contacted the decedents’ brother-in-law.
Murat and Izurieta were preparing to leave with another carload of stolen electronics and personal property when the victim’s brother-in-law arrived at the home and confronted them. The defendants were observed removing televisions from their storage units and were using laundry baskets as “shopping bags” to gather other small items throughout the victims’ residence. The relative held them at the home until police arrived.
A search of Murat’s vehicle by Clarkstown police officers revealed numerous items from Serpico’s home, including computers, component wiring, DVD’s, electronic games, clothing, alcohol, sunglasses, toiletries, sheets and towels.
A subsequent search of Murat’s residence also recovered numerous items stolen from the residence.
Both defendants have made full statements.
Arraignment on the indictment is pending.
Murat and Izurieta face a maximum of fifteen in state prison if convicted.
On July 20th, Talk of the Sound established a connection between the arrest of Murat and Izurieta to the drowning case of Mount Vernon firefighter James Drago. Izurieta is the woman who reported Drago missing.
The Journal News is now reporting that “Izurieta plead guilty to “DWI-Drugs” after crashing her car into a vehicle driven by a Yonkers firefighter in 2008.
Channel 12 News reported that police were called to the Yonkers address where Murat and Izurieta over 30 times in less than a year. Neighbors told Channel 12 News that Izurieta was a junkie addicted to heroin and cocaine.
Police are still investigating the death of Drago and the crash that killed Serpico.