According to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison in an interview with Fox News on Monday, the alleged Gilgo Beach serial murderer kept a hoard of more than 200 weapons at his Massapequa house.
“He had an arsenal in a vault that he had downstairs. It’s concerning, regarding the guns being registered or legal or not, that’s something we’re still taking a look at,” Harrison told “Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade. “Anytime somebody has that type of arsenal we have some concerns.”
Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old Manhattan architect, was detained on Thursday for the 2010 slayings of sex workers Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, whose remains were discovered on Gilgo Beach.
Prosecutors claim that the unassuming father of two is the main suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, a fourth victim.
Kilmeade received a detailed account from Harrison, who revisited the terrifying cold case after taking office, of their investigation and Heuermann’s arrest in Midtown Manhattan close to his office.
After tying Heuermann to a Chevy Avalanche that a witness had spotted in Costello’s driveway, investigators realised they most likely had their man.
“We found that he was an architect and some other things, and we were able to do some phone records and some other background checks and how he uses his credit cards and look at his family,” Harrison said.
“He has a wife and two kids and just his lifestyle, and we started getting closer and closer and saying, ‘Hey, this may be our person,’” he added.
But, he said, the detectives took care not to let Heuermann know they were interested.
“If he knew people were following him then anything could happen from there,” Harrison said. “He could try to flee the country.”
Harrison has urged anyone with information to call 800-220-TIPS because he believes there are still more victims out there.
“He’s an ogre,” said Harrison, describing Heuermann as 6-foot-6 inches and 275 pounds. “He’s a big human being, but I’m very, very glad we were able to get him off the streets.”
