Who is Charles Polevich? Guam businessman arrested in hit-and-run death of Nicki Minaj's father Robert Maraj
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: A man was arrested in Long Island on Wednesday, February 18, for the hit-and-run death of rapper Nicki Minaj's father, Robert Maraj. At a news conference from police headquarters, Nassau County Police announced that the 70-year-old man of Guam had turned himself into the police.
Charles Polevich also has a home in Long Island. Polevich has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with a fatality and tampering with evidence. Police have confirmed that Polevich was arrested on this charge in New York. Police had tracked the vehicle using various "pieces of video" to Polevich's home in Mineola. He had no prior criminal record, added police. His bail was set at $250,000 bond, $125,000 cash, or $1.25 million partially secured bond.
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Fox 5 reported that Polevich was freed on bail following an arraignment in Nassau County court. His driver’s license was suspended, he was ordered to surrender his passport and a judge said he can't leave the state.
After hitting Maraj, Polevich did stop at first but then fled the scene after seeing he had injured Maraj, Nassau police homicide squad commander Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said at a media briefing Wednesday. "He was absolutely aware of what happened," said Fitzpatrick. "He got out of the car and he looked at the deceased, got into his car, and made the conscious decision to leave instead of dialing 911, instead of calling an ambulance for the man. He went home and secluded the vehicle. He's well aware of what he did." "We kind of tracked it right to his house," Fitzpatrick said, adding that Polevich also had covered up the vehicle in his garage. He further said that the police didn't get a chance to evaluate Polevich for any alcohol or drug use at the scene because he fled. But if Polevich had stayed and was sober, there would have been no criminal charges, Fitzpatrick said. A felony complaint also said Polevich stood over Maraj and asked him if "he was OK" before returning to his car and leaving the area.
Polevich owns an environmental drilling company in Guam and also has a residence in that U.S. territory where he spends about nine months a year, according to police. They said he had no prior criminal history or record of driving offenses.
On February 12, 2021, at around 6 pm, ET, Robert Maraj was hit by a 1992 Volvo as he was walking near Roslyn Road and Raff Avenue in Long Island. While Robert was walking south, the Volvo came at him from northbound, and the driver allegedly fled the scene. Nicki’s father tragically passed away at a nearby hospital on February 13, 2021, hours after the hit-and-run.
Carol Maraj, the victim’s estranged wife, told Newsday on Wednesday that her family was relieved by the progress in the case. "I’m very, very, very happy about the arrest," she said, adding that all of Maraj’s children "are pleased" that the alleged culprit in their father’s death was caught.
Robert's super famous daughter, Nicki Minaj has earlier spoken about having a strained relationship with her father. In interviews, she revealed that Robert suffered from drug addiction and was abusive toward her mother, once setting fire to their house with her inside. Minaj referenced her father in the 2008 song, 'Autobiography', rapping: "They shoulda thrown the book at you, ’cause I hate you so much that it burns when I look at you." Robert called his daughter's claims "exaggerated."