Customer Murders Hudson Valley Business Owner at Work, Police Say

A customer was charged for the alleged "cold-blooded" murder of a Hudson Valley businessman.

This week in Rockland County Court, an indictment charged Eric Ross, Jr., 24, of Wilmington, Delaware with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, both felonies.

“This defendant thought he could get away with murder. But, he was wrong. He will now be held accountable for the cold-blooded shooting of a local car dealer at his place of business," Rockland County District Attorney Kevin Gilleece said.

In November 2018, Ross allegedly drove to Youbs Auto Sales located on Route 59 in West Nyack to confront the owner Youbens Joseph of Middletown about a Hyundai Sonata he had recently purchased from the dealer.

Ross was upset because he was having issues with the car, officials say. A verbal altercation erupted between Ross and Joseph, during which the dealer stated that there was nothing that he could do for Ross, according to a press release.

Moments later, Ross is accused of pulling out a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic pistol and fatally shooting Joseph. Joseph was shot three times, police say.

Following the shooting, Ross drove to Pennsylvania to evade capture, according to police. He allegedly hid the weapon used to kill Joseph in his car, which was later recovered by police.

Ross was arrested after a five-day manhunt. He faces life in prison if convicted.