Murdered gambler who owed Philadelphia casino money arrested in cold case
The family of a Philadelphia man who was an alcoholic and was reportedly in debt to multiple casinos when he was murdered in January 2013 may soon be facing justice. It comes after law enforcement this week filed charges against a man believed to be involved in the murder.
Pennsylvania State Police say Thomas Delgado, 50, of Philadelphia, was the man behind the 2013 burglary. This resulted in the sexual assault and stabbing murder of 48-year-old Joseph Canazaro. Police officials said newly discovered forensic evidence tied Delgado to felony murder, rape, robbery, burglary and kidnapping. Cananzaro, his fiancé and his 12-year-old son participated in the crime.
It’s been more than a decade since the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office accused Canazaro of owing millions of dollars to creditors, including several area casinos and criminal gangs.
Bucks County Assistant District Attorney Christopher Reese said in the criminal complaint that Delgado and another man tied up Canazaro, his fiancé and his minor son and ransacked the house. The pair reportedly stole weapons, money and jewelry.
The men allegedly raped the woman before they left. The woman managed to break free and call 9-1-1. When police arrived, they found Canazaro dead in the garage. An autopsy determined the manner of death to be homicide by multiple stab wounds.
Cold box is heating
Even though it's been more than a decade since the violence occurred, Bucks County District Attorney Jen Shawn said police have been working diligently on the case.
These investigators have spent more than a decade seeking justice for these victims," Schoen said."As always, investigators have never let up in their pursuit of justice, and now we can announce an arrest. "
Delgado's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 13. He remains in custody at the Bucks County Correctional Facility after being denied bond.
After the break-in, police found Canazzaro's truck at the Quakertown Plaza shopping center north of town. DNA recently recovered from the vehicle has been linked to Delgado.
Delgado pleaded guilty to 2017 charges of driving without a license and possessing an unregistered vehicle, but had no other federal criminal record prior to this month’s charges.
Bucks County and Hilltown Township police said forensics identified Delgado as one of two men who broke into the home. USA. The Marshals Service and the FBI assisted state and local law enforcement agencies in bringing charges against Delgado.
Iron proof of facial mask
Police announced that a face mask found between the seats of Canazaro's truck in 2019 contained DNA that matched a sample from a rape kit given to Canazaro's fiancé.
Law enforcement only recently learned that Canasaro and Delgado were acquaintances in 2011. The discovery was made through cellphone records, which showed the victim called Delgado at least five times between August and December 2011.
It is unclear what type of relationship Delgado and Canazaro had. Police also did not say whether Canazzaro's casino debts were tied to legal, regulated casinos or to Philadelphia's underground gambling hubs and criminal gambling networks, often run by the Mafia.
The Philadelphia area is home to several licensed casinos, including Parx, Rivers, Live!, and Harrah’s.
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Source: www.casino.org
