Two arrested in murder at laundromat

STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- About one month after a Stamford man was killed inside of a laundromat police arrested two men who they say are responsible for his death.

Ivan Silva, 19, and Elmer Saenz-Machado, 35, have been charged with robbing and killing 50-year-old Jimmy Decrescenzo inside Uncle Buck's Laundromat in Stamford on June 26.

Decrescenzo's family was in court on Tuesday to see the two men arraigned.

Police say Silva turned himself in and confessed to planning the June 26th robbery.

"He said he planned this robbery for several days, he employed another person to help him out in committing the robbery," said Lt. Diedrich Hohn. "He said he did it to gain the respect of other MS-13 gang members, so when he did the robbery it quickly turned into a murder."

Regulars at Uncle Buck's say the laundromat hasn't been the same since Decrescenzo was murdered. They say now it feels more like a chore, where as before it felt more like visiting a friend.

"It's quiet. When Jimmy was here we used to talk, laugh, have fun while we were waiting for our clothes," said customer Regina Bellantoni. "Now it's just waiting for time to go so we can get out of here."

Both suspects are being held on a $1,000,000 bond. Police say the streets are safer with them behind bars.

"Amping up their activity, their violence has escalated," said Lt. Hohn. "They were going from simple larcenies to assaults to now murder."