COOLBAUGH TWP –  After an intense month long investigation by Pocono Mountain Regional Police detectives, Luiz Vasquez, 28, of Pocono Summit was arrested for the brutal killings of Bertoldo Velez, 55, and Joseph King, 38, both from Stroud Twp.   Vasquez, 28, was charged with two counts of criminal homicide and one count of tampering with evidence.

Their bodies were discovered by a PMRPD patrol officer on routine patrol in the parking lot of the Coolbaugh Twp Municipal Park on August 17.  Both victims were found shot multiple times and

Bertoldo suffered additional blunt force trauma to his head. Autopsies performed on the victims revealed the manner of deaths were homicides.  

The investigation revealed that King and Velez arranged to meet with Vasquez at this park during the evening hours of August 16, because Vasquez owed Bertoldo a large amount of money.   Vasquez borrowed money from Velez over a year ago and had failed to pay it back in a timely manner.

Interviews with family members, along with forensic evidence and phone records subsequently linked Vasquez to the victims and the crime.  Police also located and seized the weapon used in the crime, which was a .45 cal. handgun.  The weapon and other relative evidence were located in a wooded area in very close proximately to the suspect’s residence earlier this month.

Throughout the investigation, PMRPD was assisted by Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police and the Monroe County Probation Department.

Vasquez is being held in the Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday September 26,