A pair of stolen European sneakers that wound up in a Federal Hill consignment shop may have helped Baltimore homicide detectives solve the killing of a Northeast Baltimore woman.
Detectives wrote in court records that a pair of blue suede Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers with black trim — European size 40 — taken in an Oct. 4 home invasion ended up a short time later at the B'More Betty consignment shop.
Police said security video from the store showed Marquis Curtis, who was identified by a witness as one of the men who fatally shot 24-year-old Jaleesa Brooks after she fought back during the robbery.
Curtis, 20, has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in Brooks' killing.
Also charged in connection with the case is Darius Baker, 26, who police say had been in the apartment before the robbery.
Detectives wrote in court records that Baker was inside the apartment, in the 5000 block of Raintree Way in the Parkside community, with Brooks and others when someone showed him $20,000 that was concealed in the apartment.
Baker made a phone call, believed to be to Curtis, and left at about noon.
Police say he left the door to the apartment and the outside entrance ajar so they could re-enter without having to be buzzed in.
At 1:50 p.m., two masked men burst into the apartment and showed a gun and a knife. They "held the occupants for approximately one hour and demanded money," police said in court records.
Throughout that time, they were "continuously consulting" a third person "who remained hidden from sight" but who police now say was Baker.
Court records don't explain if or how Baker knew the people in the apartment, or why there was $20,000 concealed inside.
Baker, who is not charged with murder, faces charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and conspiracy to commit a first-degree burglary. He is being held without bail.
Curtis is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, burglary and gun charges, and is also being held without bail. Records show Curtis was on probation stemming from a drug distribution charge.
Attorneys are not listed for them in court records.
A third suspect has not been identified or charged.