The investigation into a traumatic home invasion in which a family was tortured with red-hot knives has taken a new twist as police revealed a new arrest is imminent.
Maricela Morales, her husband Arturo Torres, their three children and a friend of their daughter were attacked by a gang of masked intruders at their Harnett County home over Father’s Day weekend in June.
The ordeal began around 2 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, when the family was standing in their garage with the door open. They were bound with duct tape, held at knifepoint and tortured in what police later called the most gruesome scenes they had ever encountered.
Three suspects were arrested in October, but authorities now believe a fourth person may be involved.
“We are in the process of filing charges against another suspect and should have warrants in place before Christmas,” Capt. Joseph Webb of the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office told DailyMail.com.
Despite the new designation, Webb admitted that authorities “still have several unanswered questions.”
“I can’t say what the motive is,” he added.
The three suspects already in custody are Christopher Jamal Richardson, 22, Isaiah Rashun Speed, 25, and a 17-year-old juvenile.
All face charges including first-degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, possession of stolen property and assault with a deadly weapon.
The case of a brutal home invasion in North Carolina has taken a shocking turn as authorities revealed they believe a fourth suspect was involved
Maricela Morales, her husband and three children were all targeted in the horrific ordeal, which her sister said left them “suffering physically, emotionally and mentally.”
Announcing the arrests in October, Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats described the attackers’ actions in gruesome detail.
It is believed the intruders staked out the house before storming in and launching their vicious attack.
“They put a knife and fork on the stove, heated it up and just started sticking it to the body,” Coats said.
“They tried to get them to tell them where their money and guns were.”
Despite their efforts, the attackers reportedly found nothing of any value in the home
After looting the property, they fled the scene in two stolen vehicles, leaving the family injured and traumatized.
Sheriff Coats called the torture methods “the worst” he had seen in his career.
A GoFundMe campaign, organized by Morales’ sister, seeks to support the family as they recover from the attack.
“Words cannot describe the pain and devastation our family is experiencing right now,” the fundraiser read.
“My sister and her family are suffering physically, emotionally and mentally. Our extended family and close friends are devastated.
Isaiah Rashun Speed, 26, was arrested in Detroit, Michigan in October. 2 on warrants out of Harnett County
Christopher Jamal Richardson, 22, was arrested on October 9
Pictured: The car the alleged attackers drove to Morales and Torres’ home before tying them up and torturing them
“Their home was destroyed and their peace of mind and safety will never feel the same again.”
The incident shocked the quiet North Carolina neighborhood, leaving residents on edge.
Neighbor Jeffery Miller said WRAL He has since installed security cameras at his home.
“I thought I was security, but now I need a camera,” Miller said, adding that he “feels so sorry for their family.”
As for Morales, Torres and their children, “they have to deal with it,” Coats said.
“This family has been tortured so badly that they will never get over it. It is something they will have to live with for a long time and these arrests will hopefully help them heal.”
Speed and Richardson’s cases are still pending, but Richardson has a hearing scheduled for January 20.
It is unclear if they have entered a plea at this time.
DailyMail.com has contacted the family for comment.