Arrest Made In Davie Woman's Murder
DAVIE (CBSMiami) -- Police have made an arrest in the death of Davie wife and mother Jill Su whose body was found in a bathtub in her home earlier this month.
Su, 59, had ties to the billion dollar Halliburton oil empire. She was married to renowned University of Florida entomologist Dr. Nan Yao Su. Her death on September 8th drew national attention.
Watch Peter D'Oench's report, click here.
Police identified the man in custody as 20-year old Dayont'e Omar Resiles of Sunrise. He's been charged with first degree murder.
"When I saw that on the news, I was very happy," said Angel Rivera, who became friends with Su when she lived next to his home in Plantation. "I think police did an excellent job."
Rivera told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "She is an angel and an excellent lady."
"It was a burglary," said Davie Police Dale Engle. Engle said Resiles was tied to the crime through evidence on the scene.
The crime is unsettling to residents at the gated West Ridge community on Nob Hill Road south of I595. Dive teams had turned up empty handed after searching the lake behind the home and police said the suspect was not seen in surveillance at the gates.
Lisa Woolhiser,a resident, said "I think people are more worried now. It is nerve wrecking. I don't know how this person got in. I need identification to get past the gate."
Police say Resiles had a history of burglarizing high-end homes. He was most recently arrested in Miramar and charged with burglary, grand theft and possession of burglary tools.
CBS4 has also learned Resiles was busted for burglary in January in Boca Raton, Police say when he was arrested, he had a laptop, camera, iPad and jewelry with him that had been stolen.
Capt. Engle said the investigation was not finished. He said often criminals work in pairs and he said police were looking "at everything." Anyone with new information is urged to call Davie Police or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS (8477).
Su volunteered at Insight For The Blind in Fort Lauderdale. She spent hundreds of hours working there over the past nine years, recording material donated to the blind.
"This is a family and the people who come here are such special people because they want to do something so wonderful, provide reading material for blind people, I mean that's a pretty high calling," said said Harry Sharp of Insight For the Blind. "Jill had that calling and just lived it to the hilt."
Sharp also told D'Oench, "I'm relieved that the person who did this awful thing is off the street. I will keep my fingers crossed that they have the right person. And I hope this never happens again. She was such a wonderful person, the type of person who would always walk through the door and say what can I do for you?"
Su's daughter Mandy wrote on her Facebook page this week:
"A hole has been left in my heart. My mom was my best friend and it is hard to imagine my life without her. I never realized the loving support system I had behind me and my family until this week and I would not have made it without every one of you. Nothing is going to make my life feel whole again but it is good to realize how many people I have to lean on. I love you mom, and I will always carry you with me and find strength in remembering your smile and remember that you always believed in everything I did."
Amanda Su declined to say anything else when contacted Thursday by CBS4.
Investigators have worked around the clock to solve the crime.
Police said a relative found Su's body. They also confirmed that a glass door was smashed near the pool and items were taken from the home, but not recovered.
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