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Man, woman sought in baseball-bat death

Police say a man was fatally assaulted in his home

Site of homicide

Police investigate the scene of an assault on the morning of July 15, 2010 on Ludlow Street in Hamilton, Ohio. Late the night before, Samuel Baez-Rosa, 44, refused to hand over money to two people who beat him with a baseball bat. The assailants took his wallet and ran, police said.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Police investigate the scene of an assault on the morning of July 15, 2010 on Ludlow Street in Hamilton, Ohio. Late the night before, Samuel Baez-Rosa, 44, refused to hand over money to two people who beat him with a baseball bat. The assailants took his wallet and ran, police said.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Police investigate the scene of a homicide on the morning of July 15, 2010 on Ludlow Street in Hamilton, Ohio. Late the night before, Samuel Baez-Rosa, 44, refused to hand over money to two people who beat him with a baseball bat. The assailants took his wallet and ran, police said.

Nick Graham/MIDDLETOWN JOURNAL Police investigate the scene of a homicide on the morning of July 15, 2010 on Ludlow Street in Hamilton, Ohio. Late the night before, Samuel Baez-Rosa, 44, refused to hand over money to two people who beat him with a baseball bat. The assailants took his wallet and ran, police said.

ENLARGE PHOTO

“(They) punched my friend in the face with a bat,”Alejandro Ramierez told dispatchers, according to a recording of the 911 call.

Staff photo by Nick Graham “(They) punched my friend in the face with a bat,”Alejandro Ramierez told dispatchers, according to a recording of the 911 call.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 7:11 AM Friday, July 16, 2010

HAMILTON — A man is dead after being attacked in his home with a baseball bat, police say, and they are looking for a man and a woman they believe are involved.

Police say Samual Baez-Rosa, also known as Hermino Romero, was assaulted in his home in the 800 block of Ludlow Street Wednesday night, July 14, by two people demanding money.

When Baez-Rosa, 44, refused to hand over the cash, the two beat him with a baseball bat and took his wallet, police said.

His roommate, Alejandro Ramirez, came to the door when he heard his friend yelling and was also attacked, police said. His injuries were minor, and Ramirez called 911 around 11 p.m.

Paramedics took Baez-Rosa to The Fort Hamilton Hospital, where he was transported to University Hospital in Cincinnati by helicopter. He was pronounced dead at 1:42 a.m., according to police.

Police are investigating the crime as a homicide, according to department spokesman Officer Richard Burkhardt. They have released descriptions of a white man and woman in their mid-20s or early 30s who are believed to be involved.

A man claiming to be a friend of Baez-Rosa’s said the victim was in the country illegally. He said Baez-Rosa was a hard worker and not a troublemaker, and has a wife and children in Mexico.

Some neighbors said people in the area will be reluctant to talk to police because of their immigration status, and because of Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones’ tough stance on immigration. “Why no one’s wanting to speak is because of the sheriff,” said Euvonda Martinez. “They’re afraid they’ll get deported.”

Burkhardt insists that will not happen, and urges anyone with information to contact detectives at (513) 868-5811, ext. 2002.

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