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TagsBY NOAH COHEN
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
A Queens N.Y. bar and restaurant manager was charged Saturday with fatally shooting two acquaintances found Thursday in a bullet-ridden SUV on Oakdene Avenue in Teaneck N.J, authorities said.
Nicholas D. Kiriakakis, 25, of the Richmond Hills section of Queens, is accused of shooting and killing Jonathan Beneduce, 28, of Howard Beach, and Michael Mirasola, 27, of Ozone Park. Township police discovered the bodies in a black Ford Explorer SUV after a resident called 911 around 7 a.m. Thursday.
Kiriakakis allegedly met the victims in Queens before the three drove to Teaneck, with Kiriakakis in his own car and the two victims in the Ford SUV.
The three might have traveled to Teaneck to conduct an illegal drug deal, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said in a statement released Saturday night.
Molinelli said the possibility of a drug deal remains under investigation.Kiriakakis was arrested after being questioned by Bergen County detectives at a New York police station. Molinelli declined to say what specific evidence led to the arrest.
The two victims were described as "good friends" and acquaintances of Kiriakakis, according to the prosecutor.
In a search of his home, car and business, police found two "simulated" handguns, a stun gun, and "illegally obtained prescription drugs," the prosecutor's office statement said.
Molinelli said detectives had not found the murder weapon.
Bail was set at $3 million, with no ten percent option. In addition to two counts of murder, Kiriakakis was charged with "possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose," in the Teaneck case.
He is also facing weapons and drug charges in New York and is being held in the Queens Detention Center, awaiting extradition to New Jersey, the prosecutor said.
Kiriakakis is part owner and manager of Pearl Nightlife, Inc., a restaurant and bar in Bayside, Queens.
The investigation is continuing, but Molinelli said he did not expect additional arrests as of Saturday.
A woman who answered the phone at Pearl Nightlife said she had not heard about Kiriakakis's arrest.
"He's not here," she said before hanging up.
When you get your facts straight then come and say all you want. Other than that shut up, pay attention to important things and get a life.
ANYONE WHO KNOWS NICK KNOWS THIS DOESN'T ADD UP! COME ON LET THE TRUTH OUT ALREADY! HE IS INNOCENT!
nick didnt have it in him 2 kill the,... it was def somebody else involved too...
he aint a killa he mite be a gansta tho..... baaaaaalllllliiinnnnn