Second Arrest Made in NW Double Homicide
Chevy Chase couple's car found in NW after it was set on fire
By JIM IOVINO
Updated 6:25 PM EST, Thu, Nov 27, 2008
Police made a second arrest late Wednesday night in connection with the deaths of a couple in Chevy Chase.
The bodies of Dr. Michael Spevak, 68, and his wife, 67-year-old Virginia Spevak, were found inside their home Saturday night. Concerned residents had not heard from the couple, who lived in the 5300 block of Belt Road, so they called police to investigate. Officers found two bodies inside.
Angela Hernandez, 20, of Washington, was charged Wednesday night with first-degree felony murder. She was ordered held without bond Thursday. According to police documents, Hernandez told investigators she knew the Spevaks' former foster daughter, "Anna." Hernandez told police she went to rob the Spevaks with two other suspects. She provided telephone cords to tie up the couple, police said.
Police announced the arrest of Peiro Emannuel Fuentes Hernandez, of Capitol Heights, Tuesday night.
He appeared before a judge Wednesday. Items taken from the Spevaks home, including Dr. Spevak's driver's license, were found in Hernandez's possession, prosecutors said. Prosecutors also referred to his possible gang involvement.
Hernandez admitted to being at the Spevaks' home and going there with the intent to rob them, according to charging documents. He was armed with a metal baton and tied up Michael Spevak with a phone cord.
Hernandez is not one of four people taken in for questioning Monday after police found evidence linked to the investigation in a backyard in the 600 block of Ingraham Street. However, police believe Hernandez does have a connection to the home.
It is also unclear why the killer chose to target the Spevaks. However, police do not believe the victims were chosen at random, Chief Cathy Lanier said Tuesday night.
Investigators credit community involvement and detectives' hard work for the arrests.
"The detectives worked diligently to interview individuals associated with the home and continued working literally through the night from yesterday," D.C. Police Cmdr. Rodney Parks said.
Police found the couple's car -- a blue 2005 Toyota Scion -- in the 500 block of Ingraham Street NW. The vehicle had been set on fire. Nearby, investigators found what appeared to be a safe, and police confirmed that items were stolen from the Spevaks' home.
The Washington Post reported that Virginia Spevak was bound on a couch. She died of sharp force injuries to her neck, chest and abdomen and blunt force trauma to her head. Michael Spevak was found on the floor nearby and suffered sharp and blunt force injuries to his neck and head.
Dr. Spevak was a well-regarded psychiatrist in the area. His wife was active in D.C. government as well as community organizations.
First Published: Nov 23, 2008 8:53 AM EST
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