COLONIE Two men described as heroin addicts were arrested the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 10 for the August murder of 23-year-old Colonie hairdresser Jacquelyn Porreca.
The men did not know the victim, according to Lt. Robert Winn, who spoke at a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 10, flanked by more than a dozen officers and detectives who have been working to solve the case for more than two months.
The men arrested, Sean Moreland and Michael Chmielewski were both questioned early in the investigation, according to Winn. However, there was not enough evidence to charge either man with the crime until late last week.
Earlier last week, Moreland was arrested on unrelated charges and released after being questioned about Porreca’s death. Winn said that after his release, “he opened up his mouth and was talking more out in the community.”
Then last Friday evening, an unnamed acquaintance came forward with new information identifying the men. At the time of the press conference at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Winn described the evidence against them as “overwhelming.” In addition to witnesses, the lieutenant said that cellular phone records, video surveillance footage and license plate data will all be used as evidence against the defendants.
Both were charged with murder and robbery and were ordered held without bail at their arraignment before town Justice Andrew Sommers