Arrest made in 3 killings near Columbia University

By Jonathan Dienst and Shimon Prokupecz, NBCNewYork.com

NEW YORK -- Police have arrested a suspect in the execution-style shooting of three men found dead inside a parked BMW near Columbia University earlier this month, officials said.

Roberto Nunez, 30, was arrested in connection with the shootings Saturday morning in the Bronx. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count each of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a loaded firearm. Information on an attorney wasn't immediately?available.?

The gun used in the killings and DNA?linking the suspect to the crime have been recovered, police said. The DNA?came from a shirt he discarded near the crime scene, authorities said.

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"Detectives assigned to this case did a masterful job, relentlessly working it to apprehend a suspect who initially appeared so calm, collected, and out of reach." Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said after the arrest Saturday.

The three victims, 25, 26 and 30, were found inside a 2009 BMW parked near Claremont Avenue and West 122nd Street on June 7, police said.

The victims were known for robbing drug dealers and investigators believed they may have been targeted for that reason, sources told NBC?4 New York.

Two of the victims were found in the front seats of the car, and were shot in the head or neck; the third was found in the rear passenger seat and was shot in the left temple, according to NYPD?spokesman Paul?Browne.

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Surveillance video near the crime scene captured images of the man believed to be the suspect walking calmly away from the car in which the three men were killed, police said. Video blocks away also captured images of him discarding a shirt he had been wearing that police used for DNA samples.

Jonathan Dienst is WNBC's senior investigative reporter. Shimon Prokupecz is WNBC's investigative producer.

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