NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A 54-year-old man was indicted for allegedly choking his employer to death with zip ties in 2017, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Monday.
Michel Patrick Desalles, allegedly fled to Mauritius, his native country, immediately after the incident and was extradited back to the United States Friday and charged with one count of murder.
According to court documents, Desalles worked in a jewelry store in Tribeca where he allegedly attacked his boss, 51-year-old Omid Gholian and tied two zip ties tightly around his neck on the morning of Feb. 14, 2017.
Desalles purchased a plane ticket to Mauritius approximately three hours later and flew out of JFK Airport that evening.
The following day, Gholian’s family members and police went to the store, which they found locked. Police used a key provided by the family to enter the store, where the victim was discovered dead in the back with the zip ties around his neck.
Gholian also sustained bruising to his eye and a gash on his head.
"I hope the victim’s loved ones can take some measure of comfort that this defendant will finally face accountability in New York," D.A. Bragg said. "I thank our prosecutors for never wavering from the investigation and doggedly seeking the return of this defendant."