Update from the Asheville Police Department:
UPDATE (October 7, 2020): Omar Romero, Jr. has been taken into custody without incident. The Asheville Police Department is still requesting help from the public to locate Nilson Javier Bonilla. Bonilla is described as a white male, 22 years old, 5’7″, and 146 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos on his right arm.
The public should use caution if Bonilla is encountered and contact 911 immediately. If anyone has information on his whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the APD at 828-252-1110.
Press release from the Asheville Police Department:
At approximately 7 p.m. on Sept. 18, the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to a report of an armed robbery on Patton Avenue in west Asheville. The officers arrived and met with the victim, who reported that they were robbed by three males, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The victim was unharmed during the incident.
A short time later, detectives were able to locate one of the suspects on New Leicester Highway, and he was taken into custody without incident. Kevin Ariel Cueva-Villeda, 23, of Asheville, was charged with aiding and abetting armed robbery, and conspiracy to sell a schedule VI substance. Cueva-Villeda was held under a $10,000 bond, but has since been released.
Detectives continued with their investigation and were able to identify and charge the two additional suspects for their role in the crime. The APD is seeking the assistance of the public to locate the pair, and both should be considered armed and dangerous.
Omar Romero, Jr., 19, of Asheville, has active warrants for his arrest for:
- Robbery with a dangerous weapon
- Conspiracy to sell a Schedule VI substance
- Conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon
Nilson Javier Bonilla, 22, of Asheville, has active warrants for his arrest for:
- Robbery with a dangerous weapon
- Conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon
- Conspiracy to sell a Schedule VI controlled substance
The public should use caution if Romero or Bonilla are encountered and contact 911 immediately. If anyone has information on their whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the APD at 828-252-1110. The Asheville Police Department is committed to addressing violent crime in our community.
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