As another anniversary of Raul “Cooks Books” Suarez death approaches, officials ask that anyone with information come forward.
The case remains unsolved, but investigatory work by law enforcement agencies continues every day on this case, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said. Prosecutor Tyner refuses to use the label the Suarez case or any unsolved homicide as a “cold case.”
“Cooks Books was a very revered member of our community and that his murder has gone unsolved for so many years is a sad tragedy for his family and the greater Atlantic City region alike. The family and community should know that there are dedicated investigators committed to learning the truth about his homicide,” Prosecutor Tyner said.
According to authorities, on Sunday, March 31, 1985, at 1:45 A.M., Absecon Police received a report of a man lying in the eastbound lane of Route 30 at milepost 6.2.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the victim had been fatally stabbed lying in the right eastbound lane of the White Horse Pike (Route. 30) in front of the Crest Motel. The victim Raul Suarez a taxi cab driver and his vehicle were observed traveling eastbound into Atlantic City possibly occupied by two black males.
Officials say at approximately 5:40 A.M., the victim’s taxicab was discovered in the 800 block of North Michigan Avenue, the Westside area of Atlantic City, by Atlantic City Police while checking the area for the victim’s taxi cab.
The investigation revealed that during the earlier morning hours of March 31, 1985, Raul Suarez, while operating a personal taxi cab, was stabbed to death during the course of an apparent armed robbery. The victim had been pushed from his cab, 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, which had his nickname, “Cooks Books,” written along the trunk in yellow letters on a black background. The cab also displayed Suarez’s slogan. “Every day is a Miracle,” was written across the trunk with black stick-on letters.
During the course of this investigation, over 160 individuals were interviewed.
Prosecutor Tyner encourages anyone with any information in connection to this investigation to come forward and speak with law enforcement.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.
People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/.
Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.