NEW YORK (PIX11) — In a 53-second surveillance video taken from a convenience store at 35th Street and Fifth Avenue, the alleged Gilgo Beach murders suspect, Rex Heuermann, was seen calmly walking down Fifth Avenue at 7 p.m. Thursday.
When the Massapequa Park resident, 59, reached the end of the block, several agents in dark suits were seen making the arrest.
Heuermann was charged with murder in connection with the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Authorities said he is also the prime suspect in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Investigators have spent days searching the suspect’s home and found a life-sized doll in a glass case.
“Having that doll in the case may be some sort of pattern, maybe had some sort of fetish. He was gravitating to the sex workers,” said Mike Akcazar, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Police said a slew of evidence, including Heuremann’s Chevrolet Avalanche, cellphone records, and DNA, tied him to the victims.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Heuermann allegedly used the internet to search for information and pictures of the Gilgo Beach victims and their families. All of the victims were petite, slender women.
Heuremann pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
In total, there were 11 bodies found in the Gilgo Beach area, authorities said.
“Even with this arrest, we’re not done. There is more work to do involving more victims of Gilgo Beach bodies,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.
