The suspect already had a criminal record for attacking another minor.
News Colombia.
Authorities confirmed the capture of José Rayo Tique, identified as the alleged murderer of Sharit Juliana Mahecha, a 15-year-old teenager whose body was found on April 27, 2024.
The incident shocked the community so much that it mobilized to demand justice.
Sharit was last seen heading home after school, but hours later, her lifeless body was found by her grandfather in a wooded area near her home, showing signs of asphyxiation.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Rayo Tique, who was on parole after serving a 13-year sentence for sexual abuse, allegedly approached the young woman to steal her cell phone, suffocating her in the process.
For this reason, the authorities launched an intensive search for the person responsible, offering a reward of 10 million pesos for information leading to his capture. Rayo Tique sold the stolen cell phone in Facatativá before fleeing to Aguadas, Caldas, where he was finally arrested in the main park of the municipality.
The arrest was made possible thanks to an exhaustive follow-up by the National Police, who verified his identity and found that he had a valid arrest warrant.
Legal action for the person involved
After his capture, Rayo Tique was transferred to Bogotá, where a judge ordered him to be held in the La Modelo penitentiary.
Although the accused did not accept the charges of aggravated homicide and qualified theft, the judicial process is proceeding under strict surveillance.
The Governor of Cundinamarca, Jorge Emilio Rey, thanked the Attorney General’s Office and the National Police for their quick and effective response, which led to the capture of Rayo Tique.
He also highlighted the support of the mayor of San Juan de Río Seco, Érika González, who has been by the community’s side during this difficult time.
“The capture of José Rayo Tique is a crucial step to ensure justice for Sharit Juliana and her family. We will continue working to ensure that this crime does not go unpunished and that justice is done on behalf of all victims of violence in our department,” concluded Governor Rey.
On April 27, the death of Sharit Juliana Mahecha, a 15-year-old girl in the municipality of San Juan de Rioseco, shocked the population, the department and the country.
From the outset, we coordinated the operational tasks that would allow the capture of the person responsible for… pic.twitter.com/VJ5FuPf6ma
— Jorge Emilio Rey Angel (@JorgeEmilioRey) August 13, 2024
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