Two homeless brothers and a gal pal were cuffed in the vicious slaying of a gay Hamilton Heights man, which authorities at first feared could be part of a string of murders where the victims are homosexual.
Ralph Stokes, 52, and Keith Stokes, 50, were arrested yesterday for the murder and robbery of Charles Romo, 48, cops said. A woman, Bridgette Cash, 38, was also arrested on charges she helped the pair divide up the loot.
The slaying was one of three murders of gay men the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating, but no link has been found between the homicides.
A housekeeper had discovered Romo gagged and bloodied in his Hamilton Place apartment near 141st Street, about 10:20 a.m. Jan. 28.
Detectives believe it was a robbery gone bad, law-enforcement sources said, though it was not clear why there was no sign of forced entry. A housekeeper told cops after finding Romo’s body that he often had strange men at his home, sources had said at the time.
The victim was partially blind and suffered from HIV, and police found his seeing eye dog guarding his body.
The two brothers allegedly took his wallet, and gave his credit cards to Cash, 38, who is also homeless and was dating Keith, sources said.
Both brothers were charged with second-degree murder, as well as first-degree robbery.
Ralph is an ex-con that has a criminal record that dates back to 1981, with at least twelve arrests. He went to jail for six years, sources said. It was not clear if Keith had a criminal record.
Cash was charged with grand larceny, as well as criminal possession of stolen property.