Suspect in Arizona stabbings linked to murder of woman in New York

PHOENIX — A man suspected in two Valley knife attacks is wanted for a murder in New York City, and authorities are looking for potential connections to cases in other states, too.

Raad Almansoori, 26, is wanted in New York for allegedly killing 38-year-old Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, who was found dead Feb. 8 by staff in a Manhattan hotel room. The medical examiner determined she died by blunt force trauma to the head.

Law enforcement officials are working to see if Almansoori is involved in other crimes in Florida, Texas and other states. A motive for the crimes is still under investigation.

The New York City Police Department said it wants to extradite Almansoori from Arizona, but Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said Wednesday she will oppose the process.

“We’re going to keep him here. These are mandatory prison sentences and having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA (District Attorney) there, Alvin Bragg, I think it’s safer to keep him here, and keep him in custody so that he can’t be out doing this to individuals in our state, county or anywhere in the United States,” Mitchell said at a press conference hosted by the Surprise Police Department.

What did the New York murder suspect do in Arizona?

Almansoori is in custody in Arizona after getting arrested Sunday for a stabbing attack at the McDonald’s at Greenway and Reems roads in Surprise.

He allegedly entered the women’s bathroom, pounded on the door of the stall where the employee was locked behind, climbed under the door, brandished a BB gun and stabbed the 18-year-old woman in the neck at least three times before fleeing.

While police responded and surrounded the area, they received reports of a vehicle that was stolen by a man who matched their suspect’s description.

He was found later that day at Scottsdale Fashion Square and taken into custody for driving the stolen vehicle. After his arrest, Almansoori admitted to stabbing the woman at the McDonald’s, as well as stabbing another victim a few days prior in Phoenix, police said.

Further, he told police he was wanted for a homicide in New York and that they should Google the hotel’s name, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

“He was planning on continuing this crime spree, so we were extremely lucky to be able to catch him as quickly as we can with the cooperation of all the agencies involved,” Phoenix Police Assistant Chief Ed DeCastro said at the press conference.

Almansoori was booked into a Maricopa County jail on multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and vehicle theft.

Anyone with additional information about the suspect is asked to contact the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-8477.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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