Update: Man charged with murder and arson in connection with death in Collegetown

Story by Jolene Almendarez and Kelsey O'Connor

UPDATE (10:30 a.m.) — A Dryden man has been charged with murder and arson in connection with the death of a woman Tuesday in Collegetown.

Michael A. Davis, 45, of Dryden, has been charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson. Davis is accused of killing Josie Berrios, who was found dead Tuesday morning at 209/215 Dryden Road.

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Ithaca police arrested Davis at about 10 p.m. Tuesday. He was arraigned before Ithaca City Court Judge Scott Miller and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail without bail.

Records state that Davis committed arson and caused the death of Berrios, who had "apparent burns." Police say an accellerant, in the form of a gallon of gasoline, was found at the scene. During the investigation, a black duffel bag was located at 309 College Ave.

Surveillance video allegedly shows Davis wearing an Alpha Security Bureau uniform shirt while carrying the duffel bag early Tuesday morning. Video also showed Davis leaving the area without the duffel bag and no longer wearing the uniform shirt, records state.

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The duffel bag was later found, police say, containing an Alpha Security Bureau uniform shirt worn by Davis in the video and a green lighter. A photograph of Davis taken Monday evening shows Davis with the same duffel bag wearing the uniform shirt in the building where Berrios was found, records state. Police also allegedly found a plastic bags that contained work gloves and clothing with an odor of petroleum at Davis' residence.

At 6:58 a.m. Tuesday, the Ithaca Police Department and the Ithaca Fire Department responded to the Breazzano Center building under construction at 209-215 Dryden Ave. IFD was called regarding report a dead body. There was also evidence a fire incident had occurred inside the complex, Jamie Williamson, public information officer for the Ithaca Police Department, said.

"The death does appear to be suspicious in nature," Williamson said Tuesday.

In a news release, Acting Police Chief Pete Tyler said he is thankful for the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies Tuesday.

“I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of all the police agencies involved in this investigation, including but of course not limited to the New York State Police, Tompkins County Sheriffs Department, Cornell University Police Department, and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Great teamwork solved this case by analyzing the evidence, developing a suspect, and making the arrest less than 24 hours after the incident. I hope their great teamwork helps the friends and family of the victim grasp some sense of closure during this difficult time," Tyler said.

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Davis is due to return Monday to Ithaca City Court.

The Ithaca Police Department is looking to speak to anyone who might have seen someone walking or hitchhiking on Ellis Hollow Road, Turkey Hill Road or Ellis Hollow Creek Road between 5 and 6:45 a.m. Tuesday. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ithaca Police Department by any of the following means:

Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245

Crime Stoppers Tipline: 607-697-0333 Drug Tipline 607-330-0000

Email Tip Address: http://www.cityofithaca.org/FormCenter/Ithaca-Police-Department-5/Ithaca-Police- Department-Tipline-47

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ithacapolice Twitter: https://twitter.com/ithacapolice

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--Earlier

ITHACA, N.Y. — A man has been charged with murder hours after police found a deceased individual at a Collegetown construction site Tuesday morning.

Michael Davis, 45, is charged with two counts of second-degree felony murder and first-degree arson. An official at the Tompkins County Jail confirmed that he's being held without bail.

No further information is available at this time regarding the charges.

However, at 6:58 a.m. Tuesday, the Ithaca Police Department and the Ithaca Fire Department responded to an apartment complex on 200 block of Dryden Road. IFD was called regarding report a dead body in the apartment complex. There was also evidence a fire incident had occurred inside the complex, Jamie Williamson, public information officer for the Ithaca Police Department, said.

"The death does appear to be suspicious in nature," Williamson said at the time.

The crime happened in the Breazzano Center building under construction at 209-215 Dryden Ave. The Breazzano Family Center for Business Education will house Cornell's Executive MBA program when completed.

This is a developing story.

Featured photo: Ithaca police are investigating a homicide after a body was found at a construction site on Dryden Road. Kelsey O'Connor/Ithaca Voice