Story by Ethan
On June 11th, 2025, the arrest of Brayahan Agudelo and Maria Cruz, ages 31 and 52, was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Brayahan Agudelo was charged with two counts of first-degree Burglary, first-degree Stalking, first-degree Criminal Contempt, second-degree Strangulation, second-degree Menacing, two counts of second-degree Burglary, two counts of second-degree Criminal Contempt, three counts of third-degree Stalking, fourth-degree Criminal Mischief, fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, two counts of fourth-degree Conspiracy, fourth-degree Criminal Solicitation, fourth-degree Tampering with a Witness, and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Maria Cruz was charged with two counts of second-degree Burglary, fourth-degree Conspiracy, fourth-degree Stalking, and fourth-degree Tampering with a Witness. The arrest and charges against Brayahan Agudelo and Maria Cruz were a result of an investigation handled by Police Officer Yaejee Ha of the NYPD’s 112thPrecinct Detective Squad.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on April 10th, 2025, Brayahan Agudelo was at his ex-girlfriend’s residence when he allegedly put his hands on her neck with a tight grip. The alleged strangulation eventually caused the victim to lose consciousness, their 2-year-old daughter being present at the time and witnessing the event. Upon police arrival the victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment. After this incident the now ex-girlfriend called 911 to report Brayahan Agudelo standing outside her apartment door on April 14th, 16th, 22nd, and 25th. Local NYPD officers responded to every call, however Brayahan Agudelo managed to flee every time before they arrived. At approximately 12:27 a.m. on April 24th, 2025, Brayahan Agudelo allegedly entered the victim’s apartment through an unlocked bedroom window. Allegedly once inside the defendant confronted his ex-girlfriend and threatened her with a knife. The victim attempted to flee when Brayahan Agudelo allegedly grabbed her hair and cell phone to prevent her from leaving. The victim managed to escape out the front door while screaming for help, however when police arrived Brayahan Agudelo had fled from the scene. Responding officers noted visible bruise marks on the victim’s arm from the altercation.
On April 24th and 25th, 2025, Brayahan Agudelo unknowingly spoke with an undercover officer that was working on “Operation Hellcat”. The officer alleged that Brayahan Agudelo asked if he could “make his wife a paraplegic” and said that he wanted her hit in her back and made physically disabled, referring to his ex-girlfriend. The undercover officer and Brayahan Agudelo agreed upon payment and when the attack was to happen, leading to the defendant’s arrest on April 25th, 2025.
On April 28th and 29th, 2025, Brayahan Agudelo had called his mother, Maria Cruz, several times over the phone while in jail. Allegedly Brayahan Agudelo instructed his mother to go to the victim’s house and her grandchildren’s schools to plead with them not to testify against him. During one of the phone calls Maria Cruz was given, by her son, the security code to access the victim’s apartment building in addition to instructions on how to avoid security surveillance cameras inside the premises. Brayahan Agudelo allegedly ordered Maria Cruz to confront the girlfriend alongside his brother in order for one to restrain her while the other beat and questioned her. Another call between the two defendants revealed that Maria Cruz followed Brayahan Agudelo’s instructions but the victim was not present in her home at the time. Video surveillance from inside the building depicted Maria Cruz outside of the victim’s apartment door on April 28th and 29th, 2025.
Brayahan Agudelo was additionally involved in an unrelated investigation known as “Operation Hellcat” alongside 20 other defendants. This investigation was focused on the theft of numerous vehicles in New York City and surrounding suburban areas.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Brayahan Agudelo and Maria Cruz are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
