Putnam police said they made a third arrest in connection with murder of Alice Marie Figueroa of New Britain Friday night.
According to police, Sharod Pipkin, 29 of Putnam, was served with an an arrest warrant at his business on Kennedy Drive. The warrant was issued for Pipkin after he was alleged to have assisted New Britain homicide suspect Benjamin Morales.
Pipkin attempted to flee police during the time of his arrest, but was apprehended shortly after. Police said they found Pipkin in possesion of a small amount of marijuana and a loaded handgun. He was charged with hindering prosecution and criminal possession of ammunition.
Pipkin, a previously convicted felon, is being held on $200,000 bond and is due in Danielson Superior Court on Monday, February 11.
Benjamin Morales remains at large and police are requesting anyone with information to contact police. Morales is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Earlier Friday afternoon, New Britain police announced they had found the woman who was reported missing and was believed to be with the suspect in the shooting death of another woman. Although Morales is still missing, police did make two arrests in connection with the homicide case.
Family members reported 31-year-old Virgen Maria Figueroa missing on Tuesday and told authorities they had not heard from her since around 5 p.m. on Monday. On Friday, police said Virgen Maria Figueroa was found safe. According to police, she walked into the police station.
In a release, police said she was believed to be with 42-year-old Benjamin Morales, the suspect in the death of Alice Marie Figueroa. According to authorities, Morales and Alice Figueroa were dating and have children together.
Police said Alice and Virgen are not related.
According to New Britain PD, Virgen Figueroa and Morales were also dating. They do not believe she was involved in the homicide and said they were concerned for her safety given the allegations against Morales.
Morales, who is 5-feet-6 and has brown hair and brown eyes, is known to frequent New Britain and Hartford and police warn that he is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
He might still be in the Hartford area and driving an early model red Subaru Forester that is not registered.
Police said they have a warrant charging him with murder.
Two other people have been arrested in connection with the murder and police said both suspects are related to Benjamin Morales.
Arrest warrants were served Thursday on 18-year-old Odalys Morales and 48-year-old Ramon Morales, both of New Britain. Police said they believe both misled them and/or provided assistance to the suspect.
Odalys Morales was charged with interfering and Ramon Morales was charged with hindering prosecution in the second degree and interfering.
Odalys was held overnight on a $100,000 bond and Ramon was a held on a $250,000 bond. They were in court Friday and the warrants have been sealed, according to police.
Yesenia, who did not want to reveal her last name, tells us she met Alice Figueroa when they were kids and celebrated birthdays together. She says her focus is making sure Alice's three young children know that she was a happy person, a hard worker, and someone who loved being their mom.
"Alice was an awesome, awesome individual," said Yesenia. "I'm going to tell them all the good things. I don't want them to have any bad memories of their mommy."
The family of Alice Figueroa released a statement Friday night:
"I First Want to Start By Thanking The New Britain Police for all their hard work and dedication in Alice's Case I'm aware that there are some individuals under arrest who they believe know about Mr.Morales I am Not Happy that these individuals are in there and not the man we want but I know that is a process that we have to go thru to get to Morales all I want is justice to be served for Alice she didn't deserve what happened to her I also want to Thank everyone for all their donations and prayers and support in this time of sorrow the family is going thru . Our Family just want closure so that Alice can Rest In Peace we Are Asking The Public If they know something Or see him to please Contact the police immediately and Do not approach this man he is armed and Dangerous. Thank you again to all those who have tipped the authorities and sharing his picture."
Anyone with information is asked to call the New Britain Police Department at 860-826-3000 or leave an anonymous tip by calling 860-826-3199.
