Connecticut murder suspect arrested in Florida nearly seven years after crime during a traffic stop.

A man sought in connection with a 2018 homicide in Connecticut has been apprehended in Florida following a traffic stop, authorities reported on Wednesday. Kevin Dias, aged 33, was stopped by police in Mascotte, Florida, on June 27, 2025, where law enforcement officials discovered an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued in Connecticut.

Dias is implicated in the murder of Henrry Ayala, who was fatally shot outside his residence in Waterbury on November 5, 2018, around 4 a.m. According to reports from Waterbury Police, Ayala was shot while standing in the vicinity of his home, an incident that has remained a focal point of ongoing investigations.

After his arrest in Florida, Dias was held at the Lake County Jail in Tavares on a bond set at .5 million. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Waterbury, and as of Wednesday evening, he was still listed in the jail’s online inmate roster.

Upon his return to Connecticut, Dias is expected to face charges, including one count of conspiracy to commit murder, in relation to Ayala’s untimely death. This case is complicated by the involvement of two additional individuals, who are also wanted in connection with the crime and remain at large. Authorities have identified Santos Vasquez-Rivera, aged 32, as wanted for murder and conspiracy, while Carlos Alvarado, also 32, is wanted for conspiracy.

Investigations reveal that Dias, Vasquez-Rivera, and Alvarado were all present with Ayala at a local bar the night prior to the fatal incident. Reports from Waterbury Police suggest that an interaction among the four men might have precipitated the tragic events leading to Ayala’s death.

Despite the gravity of the case, which has been active for several years, details surrounding the investigation and the circumstances of the arrests had not been extensively reported prior to this latest announcement. The Waterbury Police Department continues to pursue leads in the case, with the community closely following developments as they unfold.

This situation underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing violent crime while ensuring that justice is served. Law enforcement continues to encourage cooperation from the public in the effort to locate the remaining suspects connected to this case. Media News Source.