Cops are hunting for the killer of a Mexican immigrant whose early-morning trip to work turned tragic yesterday when he was stabbed, robbed and left to die in the middle of a Bronx intersection.
Police found Miguel Carino, 65, stabbed in the neck and chest at East 189th and Hoffman streets about 5 a.m. Police believe he was robbed – but have no suspects.
The father of six – and grandfather of six – died near the home where he lived since emigrating from Puebla, Mexico, in 1982 with his wife, Carmen Lopez Rojas. The couple was just a month away from their 25th wedding anniversary.
“I’m very depressed – I don’t believe what happened,” said Carino’s son Neptali, 38, who was among loved ones papering the neighborhood with fliers offering a $2,000 reward.
“Why would somebody do something like this? Somebody’s got to pay for this.”
As was his habit, Miguel Carino had left for his job as a porter at the Sea Shore Restaurant on City Island at about 5 a.m. to get to work an hour early.
Carino, who worked at the eatery for 15 years, was well-liked by co-workers.
“He was one of the hardest workers, if not the hardest worker, I’ve ever seen in my life,” said restaurant manager John Mandarino. “He was like my third arm. I feel as if someone has cut away a part of my body. It’s just a terrible tragedy.”
Carino’s family had been planning an anniversary dinner at the restaurant. Invitations had already been sent.
“Now we don’t know what to do,” Neptali said. “We’re heartbroken.”