New York fugitive arrested in Berkeley County after brief standoff

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A man wanted for two New York City murders has been arrested in Berkeley County.

Charles Hernandez, 47, was taken into custody at 2:45 Thursday afternoon on Garden Drive near Martinsburg.

Hernandez was the prime suspect in a June 27th double homicide in Brooklyn, New York. A man and woman were shot and killed with an assault-style rifle on June 27.

Hernandez was seen on surveillance video walking in the area where the crime occurred with the gun. He was wearing a blonde wig and a woman’s coat at the time of the crime, according to police.

The U.S. Marshals Service of New York/New Jersey worked with the Mountain State Fugitive Task Force to locate Hernandez in Martinsburg. NYPD assisted with the investigation.

Prior to the arrest, there was a short standoff with West Virginia State Police Special Response Team. During arrest, Hernandez sustained a self-inflicted injury and was taken to a local medical facility for treatment.

“This was a dangerous fugitive and today is a fine example of the power of the fugitive task force model, where federal and state partners work together to keep the community safe,” said J.C. Raffety, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia. “The West Virginia State Police SRT along with NYPD Hostage Negotiator were instrumental in effecting his arrest.”

Hernandez was also wanted for parole violation in New York due to a weapons offense.