NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle Police yesterday arrested a 15 year-old juvenile related to the Valaree Schwab homicide. The suspect has been arrested and charged as a juvenile with Hindering Prosecution and Tampering With Physical Evidence. His name was withheld by police due to his age. As a juvenile his case will be adjudicated in Family Court.
“No other arrests are imminent at this time,“ said New Rochelle Police Captain Robert Gazelle. “Since this is a an active investigation we will not release further information that may jeopardize the investigation and subsequent prosecution.
The arrest comes almost 6 weeks after the January 10th murder of Valaree Schwab, a 16-year old Junior at New Rochelle High School. A classmate, Z’inah Brown fled the scene, hiding inside New Rochelle High School before fleeing New Rochelle. She surrendered to police the following day and was charged with Murder in the Second Degree with Intent.
The arrest is a significant development in the case as the 5 or 6 other people involved in the murder immediately “lawyered up” after the murder, according to sources familiar with the investigation. None of the others, all said to be New Rochelle High School students, have been willing to cooperate with the police. That stone wall may now be beginning to crack.
Police said there were no new developments in other current cases involving New Rochelle High School: the assault of Bryan Stamps at Gemelli’s Pizzeria, the stabbing of a student in New Rochelle High School for which a felony warrant has been issued for Bryan Stamps, the brutal beating of a New Rochelle High School student by three people including two New Rochelle High School students one of whom Kaylee Rafaele, was arrested in New Rochelle High School, the arrest of four students inside a home on Mount Joy Place, a block from New Rochelle High School or the burglary of a home on Calton Road involving two New Rochelle High School students, one of whom fled back into New Rochelle High School after the burglary was interrupted by the homeowner.
RELATED:
New Rochelle High School Student Stabbed to Death by Fellow Student
New Rochelle High Schools Students in Off-Campus Melee, 1 Seriously Injured
New Rochelle High School Student Stabbed Today by Student Assaulted at Pizza Place Yesterday
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Melee Involving Dozens of New Rochelle High School Students Injures 1
Two New Rochelle High School Students Found by Homeowner in House a Block from Campus
Police Investigate Brutal Assault, Robbery of New Rochelle High School Student, 1 Arrested, 2 Sought
2 New Rochelle High School Students Arrested Following Melee Across from City Hall