A Philadelphia man accused of murdering his girlfriend was arrested in New York after leading police on a high-speed chase. According to The Independent, 29-year-old Geovanni Otero was stopped by New York State troopers on Saturday because he was driving a stolen car from Virginia.
Instead of cooperating, Otero sped away, leading police on a chase that lasted about a mile before he crashed and tried to escape on foot. Officers quickly caught him and found that he was carrying multiple fake IDs. He even gave police a false name, but authorities used his fingerprints to confirm his identity.
Once identified, police realized they had captured a man wanted for the murder of his girlfriend, Melody Rivera, back in November 2024. The U.S. Marshals had been searching for Otero after Rivera’s body was discovered in a shallow grave near Champion Park Playground on Tustin Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia.
Authorities described Otero as “armed and dangerous.” They noted that he had a tattoo of a dagger behind his left ear and Rivera’s name behind his right. Investigators believe he killed Rivera after an argument, but the exact motive remains unclear.
A police bulletin stated that Rivera, 29, was last seen with Otero on October 31, 2024, around 7:00 p.m. on Sanger Street. Her family spent six days searching for her before authorities confirmed that the woman found in the shallow grave was indeed Rivera. Her sister, Martha Lee Fred, described her as loving, kind, and full of life. “She didn’t deserve to be buried in a park,” she said.
In addition to the murder charge, Otero was also wanted for violating his parole. Records show he had recently been released from state prison after serving time for a gun-related offense. His criminal history dates back to when he was just 12 years old.
For now, Otero remains in New York, waiting to be extradited to Pennsylvania. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, facing multiple charges, including possessing stolen property, false impersonation, fleeing police, and reckless driving.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, and Rivera’s family is seeking justice for their loved one.
