North Bay Village Murder Suspect In Custody
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A Miami area teen who police suspect strangled an older lover to death inside a North Bay Village apartment and then tried to hide the evidence by mailing himself the bloody clothes is behind bars.
Dwayne Lebarr Jr., 18, surrendered himself to Miami-Dade police after being on the run for two months, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
According to his arrest affidavit, Lebarr called police to say that he had found the body of 63-year old Craig Douglas Wolfe inside his apartment in the 7900 block of East Drive. Lebarr reportedly told investigators that he had met Wolfe online about a month ago and had "engaged in a relationship with him." Police say Wolfe had been beaten and strangled.
Police said Lebarr had Wolfe's car keys and cell phone. He was taken to police headquarters where he agreed to speak to homicide detectives without an attorney present. During the interview, police said there were "numerous inconsistencies". Lebarr agreed to take a polygraph, and according to the warrant, some deception was noted. When they told him about this, Lebarr demanded an attorney and refused to answer any questions.
Police allowed him to leave.
Investigators found Wolfe's wallet and bank book stuffed between the front seats of his car parked in the complex's lot. They also found a number of receipts and a bank slip for TD bank. One receipt, from a Miami electronics store, showed the purchase of a camera for 577.25 on June 15th.
A neighbor's surveillance camera captured images of a person who looked like Lebarr coming and going into Wolfe's apartment after the time he said he had spoken to him by phone the night before.
Investigators reportedly found that Lebarr had used Wolfe's credit card after his death to purchase food, electronic equipment and other items. They tracked his movements to a UPS store where, according to the affidavit, Lebarr shipped a number of items to his home using Wolfe's credit card.
Police intercepted that shipment and found the blood clothes they suspect Lebarr was wearing when he allegedly strangled Wolfe. They also found a digital camera and a laptop which they believe Lebarr stole from Wolfe.
Lebarr faces second degree murder and grand theft charges.
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.
