Pair Indicted for Looting of Dead Man's Home

A man and a woman have been indicted by a Rockland County grand jury in New City in connection with the looting of the home of a Congers man who was killed in a motorcycle crash on the Lake DeForest causeway linking New City and Congers.

District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe said Ivan John Murat, 33, of 128 Ridge Road, Valley Cottage, and Paula Izurieta, 29, of 17 Smart Ave., Yonkers, were indicted for two counts of second-degree burglary. Murat and Izurieta face a maximum of 15 years in state prison if convicted.

Zugibe said that on July 17, at about 10:30 p.m., the pair illegally entered the residence of Richard Serpico in Congers. Serpico was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 16.

Murat and Izurieta entered the residence through a basement window and unlocked the front door. Zugibe said they were observed by a neighbor loading the victim's property into a black Ford sedan.

On July 18, the Zugibe said Murat and Izurieta returned to the Serpice home and stole more property. The duo was observed by a second neighbor who called a friend, who contacted the decedents' brother-in-law.

Murat and Izurieta were preparing to leave with another carload of stolen electronics and personal property when the victim's brother-in-law arrived at the home and confronted them. The defendants were observed removing televisions from their storage units and were using laundry baskets as "shopping bags" to gather other small items throughout the victims' residence. The relative held them at the home until police arrived.

A search of Murat's vehicle by Clarkstown police officers revealed numerous items from Serpico's home, including computers, component wiring, DVD's, electronic games, clothing, alcohol, sunglasses, toiletries, sheets and towels.

Another search of Murat's residence also recovered numerous items stolen from the residence. Both defendants have made full statements, Zugibe said.

Arraignment on the indictment is pending.