Suspects in deadly beating on Bronx church steps arrested

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS (WABC) -- Two men have been arrested in the deadly beating of a homeless man outside a church in the Bronx.

Police say 17-year-old Angel Monegro and 24-year-old Noel Martinez were caught on surveillance video kicking the victim in the head several times.

The incident happened just after 10 p.m. on Thursday, June, 19, as 41-year-old Miguel Dircio slept on the steps of St. Nicholas of Toletine Church on West Fordham Road and University Avenue in University Heights.

After talking to the victim and throwing his property, the video shows the two men kicking him in the head. Then, one suspect returned and kicked him again.

The victim was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died a few days later.

Police say that the altercation was sparked by a dispute between Dircio and the suspects' father over leftover food from a nearby restaurant in which Dircio had apparently punched the father.

They then hunted Dircio down and found him sleeping and intoxicated on the church steps, according to authorities.

Both suspects are charged with manslaughter.

Anyone with additional information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).