When Anthony Defalle found his elderly friend dead in his apartment, the 20-year old didn't see a tragedy. He saw an opportunity.
Broward Sheriff's detectives claim Defalle called up a couple of living and breathing friends to help him clean out Raymond Barkey's apartment in Dania Beach.
Barkey, 59, apparently died of natural causes and hadn't been seen since March 11. Defalle, who lived nearby, came by to check on his pal and discovered the dead body.
That's when he and two other men ransacked the dead man's house, stealing a safe, guns, Barkey's car and anything else they could find. Barkey's body was decomposing all the while, investigators said.
Deputies didn't discover the body until Monday because the stench had become unbearable for neighbors. Defalle told detectives the pungent smells inside the apartment were almost too much to stomach, but evidently not enough to make him report the death.
Investigators said a tip led them to Defalle, who now faces burglary charges.
The two accomplices are still on the loose and may be driving a red Ford F150, deputies said.
Local
The Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information to call Detective Meghan Brooks at 954-926-2400, or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or browardcrimestoppers.org.
