PITTSBURGH — The man accused of killing his security guard partner and stealing more than $2 million from an armored vehicle earlier this year has been arrested.
Channel 11's Rick Earle reported that Kenneth Konias Jr., 22, of Dravosburg, was arrested in Florida Monday night.
Konias was wanted in connection with the shooting death of Michael Haines, 31, of East McKeesport, and with stealing $2.3 million from the Garda Cash Logistics vehicle on Feb. 28.
Police said Konias was taken into custody from a private home in Pompano Beach around midnight. Investigators told Channel 11 News that Konias had been staying at the home since he fled Pittsburgh.
Officers said a tip led them to the Florida home. Konias was arrested without incident, police said. Investigators said Konias still had some of the stolen cash on him.
Detectives said someone in Florida called Pittsburgh police after Konias said he was "remorseful for his activities."
“I think he may have made the admission that he was remorseful about some of his activities here in Pennsylvania to some individual and I think the person picked up on it and called us,” FBI Special Agent Michael Rodriguez said.
FBI officials said they believe Konias did not have any accomplices.
Rodrigues said Konias did not attempt to alter his appearance. The only change he made was growing a goatee.
Konias' attorney said his family is relieved he's in custody and that no one else is in danger.
During a news conference on Tuesday, an FBI official said over $1 million was recovered from two separate locations after Konias was taken into custody.
Police said when he was arrested, Konias admitted his identity and was cooperative. Investigators said they also recovered several weapons, including his service revolver that police believe was used in the slaying.
“One was a personal weapon and we don’t have information on that,” Rodriguez said. “The other was his service revolver that he used on the job. He indicated that the service revolver was the gun he used in the shooting.”
Konias appeared in federal court in Fort Lauderdale just hours after his arrest, where he waived all potential hearings there and asked to be sent back to Pennsylvania.
Konias will likely be transported back to Pittsburgh in about a week. He is facing federal homicide and burglary charges.
Federal agents said after Konias stashed money at his grandmother’s grave, he began his trip to Florida.
“He encountered several individuals in South Florida who he confided in regarding his criminal activity in the Pittsburgh area," Rodriguez said.
An official said there has only been limited questioning of Konias so far. Agents are still investigating his whereabouts up to his arrest.
Neighbors said Konias, who used to be a junior firefighter at the Dravosburg Fire Company, graduated from Serra Catholic High School.
Timeline of events:
Feb. 28, 8:47 a.m. - Konias and his partner, Michael Haines, pick up millions of dollars from the Rivers Casino.
Feb. 28, 12:55 p.m. - Konias and Haines make their last pickup at a Home Depot in Ross Township.
Feb. 28, 3:44 p.m. - Konias and Haines’ truck found idling in Pittsburgh with Haines’ body inside.
March 7 - $250,000 found at Konias’ Dravosburg home.
March 8 - $24,000 found hidden at Konias' grandmother’s grave.
March 16 – Konias was featured on "America’s Most Wanted."
March 21 – Konias’ parents made a public plea for him to “please come home.”
April 24 - Konias arrested in Florida.
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