Antelope Twins Charged With Double Murder In High-Speed Crash
PLACER COUNTY (CBS13) – The Placer County District Attorney has officially filed murder charges against the Antelope twins involved in a chase and crash that killed a father and his daughter Wednesday.
Ruslan and Roman Glukhoy, both 19, each face two counts of murder. Authorities are holding them responsible for the deaths of 35-year-old Jose Luis Barriga-Tovar and 14-year-old Anahi Tovar.
The brothers entered in court wearing green vests, indicating they are on suicide watch. They listened to the charges against them, glancing over to their family in the courthouse, but saying nothing.
Once star wrestlers, the twins are accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen truck, eventually crashing into a car driven by Tovar. He and his daughter were killed instantly in the crash.
A vigil is planned Friday for the victims.
Friends outside the courtroom defended the brothers, saying they didn't mean for someone to die in the crash.
Rosville Police records obtained by CBS13 show the brothers' criminal past. Ruslan was accused of burglary when he was a juvenile in 2012. Roman was convicted late last year of receiving stolen property. He was set to spend 90 days in jail—his case was originally a felony, but it was reduced to amisdemeanor.
Deputy District Attorney Dave Tellman says his office treated those cases correctly
"My review of the files of the defendants, that the were treated fairly and received a just punishment, and a punishment commiserate with what they did," he said.
Police say Wednesday's chase started after the twins and an alleged conspirator – 21-year-old Yuriy V. Merkushev – were being chased by law enforcement after a suspected burglary in Auburn. They crashed their first car, only for the Glukhoy twins to steal a pickup truck.
Merkushev is not facing murder charges, but he is facing charges of conspiracy, grand theft, assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest and evading a police officer.
None of the defendants entered a plea at Friday's arraignment. They are scheduled to be back in court Wednesday at 1 p.m.
All three suspects are being held at Placer County Jail. However, both Glukhoy brothers are ineligible for bail.
A vigil is scheduled for Anahi and her father later Friday evening. The vigil will begin at 8 p.m. at Kaseberg Park on Rand Way in Roseville.