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New York Post
Cousin revealed as ringleader in shocking, caught-on-video murder of NYC laundromat owner over $30K necklace
By Isabel Keane,
2024-04-02
The vicious, caught-on-camera killing of a Brooklyn laundromat owner was masterminded by his cousin in a conspiracy to steal his flashy, $30,000 gold necklace, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Five Far Rockaway men were indicted for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery and other charges stemming from the killing of Money Perkins, 37, inside his East Flatbush laundromat on Dec. 1, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced.
Perkins was allegedly ambushed by his cousin Ronnie Butler, 46, and four other assailants who were armed with handguns and wearing big, heavy coats. Perkins and Butler had been feuding ever since the 2022 opening of his business, Money P. Clean, the DA said.
Butler reportedly planned the necklace heist with pal Louis Mercado, 48, who recruited Mercado’s 16-year-old stepson, Zecharyah Slay, and his alleged gangbanger friends Shaleek Riddick, 19, and Diante Stinson, 20, sources previously told The Post.
The group of men from Queens were indicted for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery and other charges stemming from the killing of Money Perkins.
The stepson and friends were offered cash for their part in the crime, according to prosecutors.
Graphic video footage obtained by The Post shows the moment Perkins was shot dead inside his Clarendon Road business on Dec. 1.
The footage shows Perkins lunging at one of the robbers — identified in court papers as his cousin — before dragging him to the floor as the other robbers stand by. Butler can be seen slamming Perkins’ head repeatedly on the floor before snatching the chain — which he later sold, prosecutors said.
Butler had allegedly asked his friend to help him kill his cousin, prosecutors said. Robert Mecea Diante Stinson was arraigned on March 27. Robert Mecea
At least three of the robbers fired, striking the victim a total of 13 times in the head, torso and leg, prosecutors added.
Butler was arraigned Tuesday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which all the defendants are variously charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree conspiracy and fourth-degree conspiracy.
Louis Mercado recruited his stepson and two of his son’s friends. Robert Mecea Shaleek Riddick was arraigned on March 27 and ordered held without bail. Robert Mecea
Riddick and Stinson were arraigned on March 27. The defendants were ordered held without bail and to return to court on May 9.
Slay, who faces a top charge of second-degree murder, was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Craig Walker on March 13. He was held without bail and ordered to return to court on May 10.
Mercado is set to be arraigned on April 4.
For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/
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