Ranfis Torres homicide suspect identified via stolen phone tracking

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have identified a 17-year-old suspect in the homicide of merengue musician Juan de Jesús Torres Torres, known as Ranfis Torres. The investigation was triggered by the tracking of a stolen cell phone that was sold after the crime.

Torres was found dead approximately three months ago in his residence in San José de las Matas, Santiago province. Investigators from the Central Directorate of Criminal Investigations (Dicrim) traced the stolen device to Santo Domingo, where the suspect had been staying since the incident.

In addition to mobile phones, approximately 150,000 pesos in cash were stolen from the home. Authorities allege the suspect used the funds to purchase a scooter and other items. The suspect was reportedly a close acquaintance of the victim's family and held the musician's trust. The Santiago Court for Children and Adolescents has imposed three months of preventive detention as a coercive measure.