Second suspect in deadly Milford home invasion arraigned
The crime happened at 871 East Broadway in the Fort Trumbull Beach neighborhood just before 3 a.m. on June 3.
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The second man arrested in a home invasion in Milford that killed a 69-year-old man and seriously injured his significant other was arraigned Friday.
Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24, of the Bronx, appeared in Milford Superior Court on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, murder in commission of a felony, home invasion, conspiracy to commit home invasion, attempted murder, first-degree assault of an elderly victim and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault of an elderly victim in what police called a targeted attack on a local couple. Barias-Florimon kept his head down, never once looking up, throughout the seven-minute hearing.
The crime happened at 871 East Broadway in the Fort Trumbull Beach neighborhood on June 3 just before 3 a.m. Police said two intruders entered the beachfront home through a rear sliding door while the couple was asleep, then shot Fred Werner multiple times, and his significant other, Sandy Cooper, once in the head. Werner died at the scene while Cooper, 69, was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. She's since been released and continues to recover, police said.
Barias-Florimon was taken into custody in New York City by NYPD and the U.S. Marshals on Tuesday and brought back to Connecticut Thursday night.
News 12 was the only media outlet in the courtroom for his arraignment. During his court appearance, Milford Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Kalthoff said though the warrant is sealed to the public right now, “I would characterize the investigation as urgent but very complete. And it did obtain a number of different types of evidence connecting Mr. Barias-Florimon with this very serious offense.”
The bond commissioner told the court Barias-Florimon has no prior criminal history and has family in Connecticut. She recommended bond be set at $3 million.
But the Office of the Public Defender, which is representing Barias-Florimon, asked that bond be lowered to $1 million. Senior Assistant Public Defender Kenneth Bunker noted his client’s lack of record. Bunker also brought up the other suspect in the case, who was arrested on the same charges last week.
“There isn't—in my review—a lot that indicates who was the main actor or who was merely present, who initiated this series of actions. So, while the warrant may be strong as far as the general picture, I'm not sure the warrant is strong on who individually acted in what way,” Bunker said.
Judge Auden Grogins set bond at $3 million, calling Barias-Florimon a flight risk and a danger to the community. Grogins called the allegations, “as serious as it gets.” She also ordered Barias-Florimon to have no contact with Cooper. His next court date is Aug. 18.
Police made their first arrest in the case on July 30. Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25, of Bridgeport, was taken into custody in New Haven on the same charges. During a news conference on July 31 about that arrest, Chief Keith Mello credited the tireless work by detectives and said license plate readers were pivotal in helping police identify the vehicle used in the crime and ultimately the suspects.
Mello said 27 search warrants had been executed so far, and the work isn't done, which is why police won't comment on a motive. Mello also wouldn't discuss the suspect's relationship to the victims beyond affirming what he said soon after the attack—that this wasn't a random act of violence.
Lopez-Reyes was arraigned on July 31 before police made his arrest public. His warrant is also currently sealed, and he's being held on a $3 million bond. He’s due back in court on Aug. 11.
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Police: Two men entered Milford home while couple slept, killed one, wounded other
Police: Milford homicide was a targeted attack
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