Honduran brothers arrested after deadly series of car thefts in Independence

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KCTV) – Two brothers from Honduras who were illegally residing in Missouri were arrested after a deadly series of car thefts between Joplin and Independence.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office in Missouri announced Thursday, September 19, that two people have been arrested in connection with a murder in Joplin and a carjacking in Independence. Adin Aman Cantarero Benitez, 26, and Jose Cantarero Benitez, 20, are two brothers who are both illegal immigrants from Honduras.

On Monday at around 5:25 p.m., emergency crews were called to the area between I-44 and S. Prigmore Ave. for a report of a dead person in a ditch. The victim was identified as Jesse Gilmore, 63, of Oklahoma.

Investigators said they were searching for the victim's red 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt with an Oklahoma license plate. Significant damage was found to the rear passenger door.

On Wednesday, the sheriff's office said the cobalt was found shortly after 5 p.m. during a Quik Trip in Independence.

Surveillance footage from the Road Ranger gas station at 2101 S. Prigmore Ave. showed the older Benitez brother approached Gilmore around 3:30 a.m. Monday and shot him in the head while he was still inside the vehicle. He met with Jose briefly before the two drove off – Adin in the stolen Cobalt and Jose in a blue Toyota Tundra.

Investigators said the couple stopped on I-44, pulled Gillmore out of the vehicle and left him in the ditch. The two then drove separately to Independence, but Adin was stopped and arrested for driving under the influence.

At the time, law enforcement said they had no knowledge of Adin's connection to the murder.

Just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Independence police were called to another attempted carjacking. This time, the younger Benitez brother shot a woman in the chest before leaving the scene.

However, Kansas City, Missouri police said they were called shortly after that incident because another woman had been struck with a gun. After a foot chase, Jose was also arrested. That victim is reportedly still in critical condition.

Law enforcement said they have filed charges against Adin Benitez for premeditated murder, armed criminal action and robbery. Charges are also expected to be filed against Jose Benitez.

An autopsy of Gilmore is still scheduled for Friday, September 20.

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