NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Falls Police Department is investigating a homicide that happened Tuesday night at a local hotel.
According to a city spokesperson, officers were called to a hotel in the 7700 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard just after 8 p.m. Police say a 56-year-old man from Cheektowaga was found dead in one of the hotel rooms.
The victim's family reached out to police Tuesday afternoon when they became aware he did not show up for work. The family checked several locations, including the hotel where he sometimes stayed related to his shift work and that's when hotel staff discovered his body.
Investigators believe the man died as the result of a homicide and have charged Gilbert Cruz, 34, of the Town of Niagara with one count of murder. Cruz was taken into custody early Wednesday morning after a vehicle pursuit on the Niagara Scenic Parkway.
He was arraigned in Niagara Falls City Court and is being held at the Niagara County Jail until his next court appearance on February 14.
Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to contact the Niagara Falls Police Department detectives at (716) 286-4553 or (716) 286-4711.