Fugitive suspected of choking boss to death with zip ties inside NYC jewelry store busted 8 years later: prosecutors

A fugitive suspected of murdering his boss in a Tribeca jewelry store over eight years ago has finally been captured and extradited back to New York City to face charges. Michel Patrick Desalles, now 54 years old, is accused of choking Omid Gholian, 43, to death with zip ties inside World of Gold N Diamond at Church and Duane streets on February 14, 2017. Desalles fled to his native Mauritius to evade law enforcement shortly after the brutal murder, but authorities from multiple agencies were able to track him down and bring him back to the US to stand trial.

Desalles has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bail. The attack on Gholian involved a savage beating and the use of zip ties around his neck. The crime took place in the morning, and by that evening, Desalles had already boarded a flight from JFK International Airport to Mauritius. Gholian’s family became concerned when they hadn’t heard from him for several days, and his brother filed a missing-person report with the police. When Gholian’s brother went to the jewelry store and found it locked, he sought help from the authorities to gain entry.

Inside the store, they discovered Gholian’s lifeless body with zip ties around his neck, lying in a pool of blood. The medical examiner confirmed that Gholian’s death was a homicide caused by compression of the neck. Fred Laleh, the owner of a neighboring jewelry shop, recalled the day of the murder as unusual since Gholian’s store was closed on Valentine’s Day, one of the busiest days for their business. He mentioned speaking to one of Gholian’s employees who claimed that Gholian had sent him uptown to the Diamond District but later instructed him not to return to the store.

Desalles will appear in court on August 11 to face the charges against him. The US Department of Justice, along with various international agencies, worked together to apprehend and extradite Desalles from Mauritius. The swift action and collaboration between these agencies led to the capture of the fugitive and the pursuit of justice for the victim and his family.