Police on Tuesday identified the second victim in last week's double murder inside a Coral Gables office building.
Miami-Dade Police say Robert A. James, 78, was killed inside a business at 801 Monterrey Street Friday, along with 59-year-old Frances C. Venezia.
Police have arrested 43-year-old Jose Rojas in the killings. He's charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed kidnapping and one count of attempted armed robbery, according to an arrest affidavit.
Though officials have not released information on what relationship Rojas had with the victims, Rojas is also employed at 801 Monterrey Street, according to the affidavit.
Officers responded to the office building Friday afternoon in reference to a woman calling for help, the affidavit said. When they arrived, they spotted Rojas on Southwest 8th Street with no shoes, carrying a bag and appearing suspicious, according to the report. Rojas fled when he saw police but was detained a short time later covered in blood, authorities said.
When officers searched the office, they found the bodies of James and Venezia bound with duct tape on their hands and feet. They also had duct tape with rags around their mouths, the report said.
Near the bodies, police found a pellet gun and a broken wooden mop stick, the report said.
During questioning, Rojas admitted to police that he'd stopped at a store on his way to work to purchase items he used to torture the victims, the report said.
Rojas told police he put a hood over his head and gloves on his hands and waited for James and Venezia to arrive at work, the report said. he held them hostage and forced Venezia to write his a check from her checking account, the report said.
He then struck the woman with a mop stick after she started screaming, the report said. Since Venezia would not stop yelling, the man also began to scream, Rojas told officials.
The report said Rojas does not remember what happened next but remembers pools of blood in the office and on himself.
Both victims appeared to have suffered blunt trauma and multiple lacerations, the report said. Their exact cause of death is pending the results of the Medical Examiner's Office.
Rojas remained behind bars without bond Tuesday. It was unknown whether he has an attorney.
On Monday, Rojas' sister, Vivian Ortero, released a statement, saying the family was devastated by the incident.
"My brother Jose is a good husband and a wonderful father who has never been a violent man. All we know is he was going through a difficult time and we will continue to support him," Ortero said. "Our deepest condolences go out to the victim's family and we will keep everyone involved in this tragedy in our prayers."
Officials have not given a motive for the killings.
