SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — The Town of Ramapo Police Department has arrested a man following the discovery of a body in a parking lot Saturday morning.
Officers responded around 7:15 a.m. on April 18 to 18 Park Avenue in the South Spring Valley section of Ramapo. They found a 30-year-old man’s body beneath a parked pickup truck.
Police said the parked vehicle was not involved.
Investigators from the department’s Investigations Unit and Crash Investigation Unit launched a joint investigation. They reviewed surveillance footage, conducted interviews, and collected evidence.
Later that day, officers identified and located a suspect vehicle in Chestnut Ridge.
Police arrested Manuel Milton Yantalema Parco, 36, of Spring Valley.
He is charged with:
- Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death (D felony)
- Concealment of a human corpse (E felony)
- Tampering with physical evidence (E felony)
Police say the incident happened during the early morning hours. Investigators believe the victim was struck by a vehicle and dragged.
According to authorities, the suspect then drove into the parking lot. The victim was removed from the vehicle and placed beneath a parked pickup truck.
The defendant was arraigned in Ramapo Justice Court. Bail was set at $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond.
He was remanded to the Rockland County Jail and is awaiting a future court appearance.
Police said the incident appears to be isolated. There is no ongoing threat to the public.