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Suspect In Murder Of S.I. Groom-To-Be Waives Extradition

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The suspect charged with killing a groom-to-be on Staten Island has waived extradition and could be returned to New York this week.

Redinel Dervishaj, 35, was arrested Tuesday in Illinois. U.S Marshals, sheriffs and other law enforcement officials received a tip that the accused stabbing suspect was hiding out at his aunt's home outside Chicago.

Authorities say Dervishaj fatally stabbed 27-year-old Anthony Lacertosa with a butcher knife around 2 a.m. Saturday outside the Espana Restaurant in Annadale. Lacertosa was out with friends celebrating his recent engagement.

Witnesses told police Dervishaj is a friend of the restaurant manager and that they got into some sort of brawl over alleged drunkenness.

Family members say Lacertosa's half-brother and fiancée, Bridgette Schneider, tried to save his life by performing CPR, but it was too late.

News of Dervishaj's arrest Tuesday came just a few hours before Lacertosa's wake.

"We will never get him back," said Lacertosa's brother-in-law the Jamie Caruvana. "Regardless of what happens with the investigation and everything, we will never get him back."

And as she prepares to lay her 27-year-old son to rest, Lacertosa's mother offered words of thanks.

"I am eternally grateful for the police department for having caught this man and making this day just a little more bearable," said Linda Lacertosa.

Dervishaj is now awaiting extradition to New York. He and his brother allegedly have ties to the Albanian mob. He served more than three years in prison for a 2007 shootout in Queens with two other Albanian figures.

Pat D'Amuro, a former director of the FBI's New York office told CBS 2's Pablo Guzman that the Albanian mob is a "very violent organization and very much involved in trafficking of illegal weapons."

"They will confront anyone that stands in their way with violence. They've been known to be very violent," he said.

Lacertosa's funeral will be Thursday morning at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. He was due to marry his  fiancée Bridgette in November.

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