Illegal immigrants arrested after body found in ditch off I-44

Two illegal immigrants from Honduras have been arrested in conjunction with a death investigation in Jasper County, Missouri.

It all began around 3:30am Monday, when one of the suspects, 26-year-old Adin Aman Cantarero Benitez, approached a red Chevy Cobalt at the Road Ranger gas station, near the Prigmore exit of I-44.

Benitez allegedly walked up to the driver, who was sitting in his car in the parking lot. The two had a brief conversation before Benitez shot him.

The victim has been identified as 63-year-old James Gilmore, of Oklahoma.

Benitez then got into Gilmore’s car and briefly met with the other suspect, his brother, 20-year-old Jose Cantarero Benitez, behind the gas station.

The two then both drove east on I-44 and pulled over at the 14.8 mile marker and pulled the victim out of the car and into the ditch.

The two suspects, one driving the victim’s car and the other driving a blue Toyota Tundra pickup, drove to Independence, Missouri.

Adin was subsequently arrested for DWI at approximately 10pm that night in Independence. At that time, it was not known to law enforcement about his connection with the Jasper County incident.

On Tuesday, just after 5pm, the Independence Police Department was called in reference to the second suspect, Jose, who had attempted to carjack another vehicle and shot a woman in the chest.

He fled that scene and was later arrested by KCPD after they had received a call of another woman that he had pistol whipped. After a foot pursuit, he was arrested. The female victim that was shot is reportedly in critical condition.

Authorities say the two are both in the country illegally.

Charges for first-degree murder, armed criminal action and first-degree robbery have been submitted on Adin Benitez to the Jasper County Prosecutor.

Charges on Jose Benitez are expected to be filed.

The red Chevy Cobalt was recovered in Kansas City.

The autopsy on Gilmore is still scheduled for Friday.