FBI Offers Reward In String Of Westchester Homicides

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- The FBI announced Tuesday that it's adding its muscle and up to $5,000 rewards to help Mount Vernon officials solve five open homicide cases.

Rubin Davis was murdered in 2011 in Mount Vernon.
Photo Credit: *FBI*

Dean Daniels was killed in 2014 in Mount Vernon.
Photo Credit: *FBI*

Jovelle Stewart was murdered in 2016 in Mount Vernon.
Photo Credit: *FBI*

Wilbert Francis was murdered in Mount Vernon in 2016.
Photo Credit: *FBI*

Mario Frater was murdered in 2016 in Mount Vernon.
Photo Credit: *FBI*

K Reakes

03/07/2017 5:21 p.m.

To do so, the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Gang Task Force is asking for the public’s help in solving the homicides that run from 2011 to 2016, FBI officials said.

The cases include:

Rubin Davis was shot and killed on June 26, 2011, at the 4th Street Park.
Dean Daniels was shot and killed on September 22, 2014, near Park Avenue and East Prospect Place.
Jovelle Stewart was shot and killed on March 27, 2016, near 141 North High St.
Wilbert Francis was shot and killed on June 10, 2016, near the area of 125 South 2nd Ave.
Mario Frater was shot and killed on August 31, 2016, near 14 West 4th St.

Mount Vernon joined the task force last fall that includes members from the FBI, Westchester County District Attorney's Office, Westchester County police, Peekskill police, Yonkers police, the NYPD and the U.S. Probation Office.

Mayor Richard Thomas said the town welcomes the help: “The involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Task Force highlights the critical and unique challenges these unsolved homicides pose and we thank the FBI for their continued partnership with the Mount Vernon Police Department," he said.

Thomas added that the levels of joblessness and hopelessness that often lead to violence are not issues confined to one locality and that the agency has resources that are unmatched by any local municipal force so their assistance is vital.

"People should know it’s ok to step forward, collect the reward and say no to crime in their city," he said.

Acting Police Commissioner Ronald Fatigate said the police department is always working on behalf of crime victims and their families.

"We continuingly reach out to the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers of those who have passed, as we have with Nazarene Duncan and her family. We understand grief is powerful and it hurts," Fatigate said.

He added that the “no snitchin’” culture that pervades young people has slowed the flow of reliable information and tips: "We are thankful that the FBI is added their expertise and resources to aid our department in the fight for justice.”

Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call the FBI in Westchester at 914-925-3888.

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