Suvechha Sarkar
On a quiet winter night in December 2015, the community of Cleveland, Texas, was utterly shaken by the brutal murder of Conbino Crasto. The loss of a loving husband and a dutiful father left his family in India completely grief-stricken. Investigation soon revealed that a chilling act of robbery by three masked men led to his untimely demise. Investigation Discovery’s ‘See No Evil: Three Masked Males’ delves deep into the events surrounding the crime, including the investigation and evidence that led the detectives to the perpetrators. It also features interviews with his friends and the officials whose investigation finally brought justice.
Conbino Crasto Was Fatally Shot at a Convenience Store in Texas
Lovingly referred to as Bino, Conbino Crasto was born on March 31, 1979, in Margao in the state of Goa, India, and arrived as a ray of sunshine in the life of his parents, Menino Alvaro and Filomena Crasto. He grew up in a loving household surrounded by the love of his parents, sister Rometha, and his brothers Alecisco and Roy Crasto. Sometime in the 2000s, he found the love of his life, Jessica, and they soon tied the knot. Shortly after, the couple welcomed their two sons, Cain and Cusam, into this world. Determined to make a better living and give a better life to his family, Conbino decided to move alone to Texas in 2009. Eventually, he began working and sent the money back home to his family.
In 2015, Conbino worked as a store clerk at an Exxon convenience store located at FM 2025 in Cleveland, Texas. He was a compassionate person who loved helping people and had a contagious smile. Conbino had initially planned to visit his family in Goa during Christmas that year. However, he decided against it and instead chose to visit in the following March during his wife’s birthday. Everything was going perfectly when his life came to a sudden halt on December 16, 2015. Like any other day, he was speaking with his co-worker, Avelino Fernandez, behind the bill counter. Around 9:25 pm, a masked gunman entered the store, followed by two other masked men. The man with the gun threatened to kill them if they didn’t give him the money.
As Conbino began moving backward with the bag given to him by the gunman, he was shot. While the masked men fled the scene with the money, Avelino promptly called 911 to alert them. When officials first arrived, they found Conbino lying on the floor behind the counter, holding his chest. He was rushed to the hospital, but tragically, he passed away. Investigators found a 9mm shell casing and stolen cash, indicating a robbery. When they searched outside the store, they found a coin trail to the east of the entrance. It led them to the corner of the building across a parking lot, where they found a blue bandana on the road. The trail further pointed in the direction of a nearby neighborhood, Tanglewood. The autopsy results determined Conbino’s cause of death to be from the gunshot wound to his chest.
Surveillance Footage and Confessions Led to the Arrest of Conbino’s Killers
Detectives first questioned Avelino, who witnessed the crime. He informed the police how the gunman had shot Conbino and taken the money before fleeing. They next checked the CCTV footage both inside and outside the store. It reportedly revealed the gunman wearing distinctive latex gloves, black shoes with red laces, and a blue bandana covering the face. The second suspect was wearing a grey hoodie with purple straps, a bandana on his face, and bare hands, helping them identify him as a tall and thin “white male.” Officials noticed the third suspect was shorter and wore a ski mask. They next shift their focus to find any residential surveillance camera in Tanglewood. Around 2 am, an officer locates one of them. Upon inspection, they discovered a red pickup truck with lower suspension passing the area right after the murder occurred.
About 8-10 blocks away from the murder scene, investigators locate the vehicle parked outside a residence. In the truck’s bed, they find the latex gloves and hoodie with purple straps. On questioning the homeowner, they discovered the car belonged to the owner’s wife’s cousin, Roberto Ismael Alvarado. Detectives visited his residence, which was a trailer in eyesight of the murder scene. When Roberto was brought in for questioning, he claimed that his vehicle had broken down and it was at his father’s mechanic shop for repair. However, his father informed the police that Roberto had picked up his truck that day after it was fixed. The latter continued denying involvement and was let go due to insufficient evidence. Another officer recognized one of the suspects, Michael Larree Richardson, from a previous encounter. At his residence, officials discovered a bandana, shoes, and ammunition.
When Michael was questioned, he confessed that Roberto had asked him to hold the items. He alleged that Roberto was the shooter and had planned out the robbery. He and Roberto were arrested and charged with capital murder in December 2015. Another tip led the detectives to Frank Hernandez and Cole Lincoln (15 years old). The latter confessed that he was a part of the robbery and had met with Roberto, Michael, and Frank at Roberto’s trailer, where the latter provided everyone with the bandana, gloves, etc. He further confessed that Frank was the gunman while Roberto waited in the car to provide them with transportation. Michael confirmed the account, claiming he lied because he feared Roberto. Upon questioning Frank, he confessed to having shot Conbino and led them to the murder weapon in the residence’s backyard, where the pickup truck was discovered. While three of them were charged with capital murder, Cole was charged as a minor.
Roberto Alvarado, Frank Hernandez, and Michael Richardson Are Incarcerated at Texas Prison Facilities Today
In March 2017, Frank and Michael both reportedly pleaded guilty. Their plea agreement ensured that their charges would be reduced from capital murder to murder. In turn, both of them had to testify against the other regarding the murder of Conbino. Frank was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with the eligibility for parole after 30 years. He will not be eligible for parole before December 22, 2045. Michael instead opted for a jury sentence rather than a plea offer of 50 years. He was convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison with the possibility of parole in 14 years. He will not be eligible until December 17, 2029, with his projected release date being December 17, 2043. The trial of Roberto began on March 13, 2017. He had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of murder.
Although the defense reportedly argued that Roberto was not directly involved in the shooting, the prosecutors emphasized his role in supplying masks and gloves and even acting as the getaway driver. After deliberation, the jury found him guilty on March 16. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison with no eligibility for parole for 33 years and a $10,000 fine. His parole eligibility date is not before December 16, 2045, and his projected release date is December 15, 2080. Cole pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. While Frank is currently serving his sentence at Robertson Correctional Facility in Abilene, Texas, Michael is at Ferguson Unit in Midway, Texas. As of writing, Roberto is serving his time at Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Texas.
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