Third Suspect in Fatal Bradenton Home Invasion Arrested in Colorado
A third individual connected to a deadly home invasion in Bradenton has been apprehended in Colorado. Authorities arrested 32-year-old Aldo Jean Pierre Armijos-Casillo after intercepting a bus he was on during a traffic jam. Investigators from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, discovered that Armijos-Casillo was traveling from Colorado to San Diego in an attempt to flee to Mexico.
The home invasion occurred on December 26, 2024, in the River Club community of Bradenton. Two masked men were captured on a homeowner's surveillance system entering the rear of a residence in the 6700 block of Hickory Hammock Circle. The homeowner confronted the intruders and fired multiple rounds from a 9-millimeter handgun, striking one of them. The injured suspect, identified as 27-year-old Jorge Nestevan Flores-Toledo from Mexico, was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
The second intruder, 39-year-old Michel Soto-Mella from Chile, fled the scene but was apprehended by deputies with the assistance of K9 units a few blocks away. Soto-Mella was charged with armed burglary, and additional charges are pending. Authorities revealed that Soto-Mella had overstayed a 90-day visa that expired in September 2024.
Armijos-Casillo, the third suspect, was located after detectives learned of his attempt to escape to Mexico. A traffic accident involving an 18-wheeler caused significant gridlock on Interstate 70 near Vail, Colorado, providing an opportunity for the Vail Police SWAT team to intercept the bus and arrest him without incident. He faces charges of felony murder due to his involvement in the crime that led to his accomplice's death. Authorities noted that Armijos-Casillo was in the U.S. on a 90-day pass from Chile and will be extradited to Manatee County at a later date.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the incident and urges anyone with additional information to come forward. Sheriff Rick Wells emphasized the risks associated with such criminal activities, stating, "This is the state of Florida. If you want to break into someone's home, you should expect to be shot."
Authorities are also examining the suspects' backgrounds to determine if they were involved in other criminal activities and to understand why they targeted the specific residence in the River Club community. The investigation remains active and ongoing.