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Man charged with murder in connection to bodies found in Howard Beach fire

Man charged with murder in connection to bodies found in Howard Beach fire
By Karen Frantz

Police said they have arrested a Brooklyn man in connection with the deaths of two men whose bodies the Queens district attorney believes may have been dumped in an undeveloped section of Howard Beach after being murdered elsewhere.

Rogelio Rodriguez, 34, of Brooklyn was arrested and charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal tampering, police said Tuesday.

The two victims were Rudy Superville, 22, and Gary Lopez, 25, both of Brooklyn. Police said their bodies were found last Wednesday stuffed in trash bags in the remains of a brush fire in Spring Creek Park near 159 Avenue and 78th Street. DA Richard Brown said the fire may have been started in order to cover up the crime.

The medical examiner’s investigation found that Superville had been stabbed in the neck and torso and Lopez had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso.

Superville and Lopez may have been killed after a group of drug dealers learned the two men were planning on robbing them, the New York Post reported.

Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 718-260-4538.