When two men fatally shot 20-year-old Alvaro Vigueras Medina on Lawrence Street, a cellphone left on the scene sparked an investigation that led to the arrest of Jonathan Planas, a 34-year-old Yonkers resident. Last week, Planas entered a guilty plea in Westchester court to charges of first-degree manslaughter.
The incident occurred on October 10, 2020 and involved both Planas and an unknown accomplice. Medina was walking along Lawrence Street when the two assailants drove by in an orange car. They then exited the vehicle and fatally shot him. According to the court filing, the suspects then fled the scene. However, they left behind Planas’ cellphone and seven 0.40 caliber shell casings on the street.
Caught on Camera
Yonkers Police Department detectives gathered surveillance video captured on the scene. Based on a prosecutor’s overview of the investigation, Planas failed to retrieve his cellphone after he dropped it. Camera footage also revealed license plate numbers of the orange car, and detectives discovered that it belonged to Planas’ sister-in-law. The vehicle was then tracked to Planas’ rented parking spot in a lot on Ashburton Avenue.
At first, detectives found inconsistencies between the video, which depicted an orange car, and the actual gray car found under a tarp in the lot. However, an orangish acrylic piece attached to the car provided a clue. The lot manager informed the police that someone had worked on the car on Oct. 10, shortly after the shooting. Based on the prosecutor’s summary, it is believed that the vehicle’s orange car-wrap was likely removed following the attack.
Once the driver’s identity was determined, investigators searched Planas’ apartment and found nine .40 caliber bullets matching those retrieved at the crime scene. In 2021, Planas was indicted on murder charges for his role in Medina’s killing. That charge carries a sentence of 15-25 years to life.
Guilty Plea Downgrades Charges
With Planas’ guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter charges, he faces a reduced sentence in state prison of no more than 23 years. Based on findings in the upcoming pre-sentence report, Westchester Judge George Fufidio reserves the option to sentence Planas to fewer than 23 years.
The motive in this case has not been released publicly. However, authorities have stated that Planas and Medina were unknown to each other and the victim was likely an unintended target. Investigators are still working to identify the second assailant.
Planas’ sentencing is scheduled for February 22, 2024.
