CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — Cheektowaga murder suspect Yuriy Bruks was taken into custody in Mexico on Saturday. Bruks has been charged with second degree murder and fleeing the State of New York to avoid prosecution.
Law enforcement had been searching for him since August in connection to the stabbing death of his wife.
According to a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court, around 3:30 pm on August 4, Cheektowaga Police responded to 81 Raymond avenue for a homicide investigation.
The documents revealed 34-year-old Tetiana Bruks died from several stab wounds.
Her husband, Yuriy Bruks was named a suspect, but he was released pending further investigation.
The court filings reveal on August 5, an arrest warrant was issued charging Bruks with 2nd-degree murder and the case was given to the U.S. Marshals Service.
On August 7, investigators made major headway in the case. The Cheektowaga Police Department interviewed Bruk's father, Yaroslav Brukhach. He told police he brought his son back to the house on Raymond ave on the night of August 4.
The documents state that despite the home being "considered an active crime scene," Bruks entered, took his passport, a backpack, and a laptop out of the house.
Police also obtained surveillance footage of Bruks purchasing a phone from the Walmart on Transit Road in Williamsville.
A search warrant was then obtained for the phone. Investigators determined Bruks last used it in Laredo, Texas. That was the last location tracked, which led investigators to believe he crossed into Mexico.
Bruks pleaded not guilty at Erie County Court Tuesday morning and will not be granted bail. Law enforcement will hold a press conference at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday to give more information about the arrest.