Man arrested in home invasion that preceded fatal stabbing

RALEIGH -- Police arrested a man Monday in connection with Sunday’s North Raleigh home invasion and robbery, a crime followed by a fatal stabbing nearby.

Ronald Steven Earl Gaither, 23, turned himself in Monday evening to the Raleigh Police Department, and he has been charged with first-degree burglary, common law robbery and larceny of a motor vehicle in the incident at 4901 Wellingford Drive.

Shortly after the robbery and a nearby vehicle crash involving the stolen vehicle about 5 a.m. on Sunday, Elezar Barache Herrera, 20, arrived at the crash site on New Hope Road. An altercation ensued, Herrera was stabbed, and he later died at WakeMed's Raleigh campus.

According to the arrest warrant, at least one woman was home when Gaither broke into the house. He stole an Xbox game console, two laptop computers and video games "by means of an assault upon (the victim) consisting of the forcible and violent taking of the property," the warrant alleges.

The stolen vehicle, a 2005 GMC Envoy, was wrecked on the 4900 block of New Hope Road, a quarter-mile from the robbery. The SUV was not owned by the woman who was assaulted in the robbery.

Gaither has not been charged in connection with Herrera's death.

Police spokesman Jim Sughrue said the investigation continues.