General Headquarters — Columbus, Ohio

 

For Immediate Release: June 3, 2005
Contact: OSHP - Lt. Rick Zwayer or Sgt. Stephanie Norman (614) 752-2792

 

Toll-free tip-line, reward in Turnpike robbery/homicide investigation yielding solid leads

Investigators distributing reward fliers in western Pennsylvania

COLUMBUS – Investigators in the May 13 robbery/homicide on the Ohio Turnpike of Dr. Gulam Moonda are encouraged by new information and several solid leads that have resulted from 23 calls to the toll-free tip-line since it was established Wednesday.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the new information and leads will not be disclosed at this time. While no charges or arrests have been made in this case, investigators in Ohio and Pennsylvania believe they are making progress and continue following leads, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing evidence. To date, 95 interviews have been conducted by investigators on this case. Patrol investigators continue to urge anyone with information on this case to call the 1-866-678-8477 toll-free tip-line. Patrol investigators will continue staffing the toll-free tip-line 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

In other new developments related to the case, investigators from both the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Pennsylvania State Police are hoping for more new information by distributing fliers through local businesses and neighborhoods regarding the Dr. Moonda Reward Fund of $25,000. Fliers are being distributed primarily in western Pennsylvania, including in the cities of Aliquippa, Beaver, Monaca, New Brighton, Pittsburgh, Rochester, and other locations. The flier can be viewed at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov.

The reward fund was established Wednesday through a group consisting of family, friends, and Dr. Moonda’s local community. Reward criteria is, in part, for new information, which must be reported through the new toll-free tip-line. The fund is not being managed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and specific criteria for the reward are being established by the private group. Donations to the fund will be accepted only through First National Bank, One FNB Boulevard, Hermitage, PA, 16148.

On May 13, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers responded to a report of an injury on the Ohio Turnpike westbound, near milepost 164, in North Royalton. Upon arrival, troopers discovered Dr. Moonda had been shot in the head after a reported roadside robbery had occurred. Dr. Moonda, and Dorothy Smouse, 74, both of Hermitage, PA were passengers in a 2000 Jaguar being driven by his wife, Donna Moonda, 46, when they stopped along the Ohio Turnpike to change drivers. It was reported that during that change, an unknown suspect driving a dark colored van stopped with the victim and demanded money. The suspect carried out the robbery, shot Dr. Moonda, and fled the scene. Dr. Moonda died from an apparent single gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene by LifeFlight EMS.

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