Florida triple-murder suspect in custody after 51-hour manhunt

Florida triple-murder suspect in custody after 51-hour manhunt

Andres "Andy" Alves, father of six, is accused of killing his wife, a neighbor, and a local pastor.

A 51-hour manhunt is over after police in Florida arrested a man believed to have killed three parents.

Andres “Andy” Avalos, who is a suspect in a triple homicide Thursday in Manatee County, was arrested Saturday afternoon in Bradenton jsut two blocks from the church where he allegedly killed one of the victims, according to McClatchy DC.

Avalos’ father made a sorrowful plea to his son to come out of hiding. He turned up behind the mobile home of a couple who recognized him and urged him to surrender, and then called 911.

Avalos, who is 33, is charged with killing his wife, Amber, also 33, their 46-year-old neighboof xir Denise Potter, and 31-year-old Rev. James “Tripp” Battle. He will appear before a judge this morning.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office questioned Avalos into the night, spokesman Dave Bristow was quoted in the report. Sheriff’s officers will meet with prosecutors to decide what information can be released to the public.

Just four hours after his fathers’ public plea, Avalos wandered onto a wooden deck that was in the Pine Haven Mobile Home Park off U.S. Route 41. After the couple who lived there talked to Avalos, Avalos said he wanted to talk to his mother, and they urged him to surrender.

The couple left their home before the deputies and detectives arrived to arrest Avalos, with guns and semi-automatic weapons drawn. Avalos surrdned peacefully and was taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning.

The killings rattled the Florida community, which sits just south of the Tampa metro area.

The shooting took place at Bayshore Baptist Church. One of the victims, Rev. Batlte, was the lead pastor there and was shot to death on Thursday afternoon. After police went to the scene and received information, they headed to Avalos’ home, where they found the two women dead. Police have a preliminary autopsy report back, but are not releasing it yet.

Avalos’ children have been placed in a safe house while the manhunt was underway, and only the eldest three of the six kids were informed of their mother’s death.

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