Fugitive Wanted for Murder in Chicago Arrested in Los Angeles, Federal Charge Unsealed Today in Chicago
One of Four Unrelated Arrests by Los Angeles Fugitive Task Force in Three Days

A fugitive wanted for a homicide in Chicago, Illinois was arrested in Los Angeles on Friday by the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force (FTF), whose members acted on information received from investigators in Chicago, announced Bill Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, and Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. The federal complaint charging Ruiz was unsealed today in United States District Court in Chicago.

Martin Ruiz, 24, whose last known residence is Chicago, was wanted by the Chicago Police Department after detectives identified Ruiz as a suspect in the August 2012 homicide of a 15-year-old Chicago resident. On January 13, 2013, an arrest warrant for murder in the first degree was issued for Ruiz in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

When detectives with the Chicago Police Department established that Ruiz had fled the state of Illinois, the FBI’s Chicago Field Office was asked to assist with the fugitive investigation. In February 2013, a warrant charging Ruiz with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued in United States District Court in Chicago, Northern District of Illinois.

Members of the Los Angeles FTF were recently contacted after investigators in Chicago developed information indicating that Ruiz was possibly residing in the Los Angeles area. On Friday, FTF Los Angeles members requested the assistance of uniformed patrol units with the Los Angeles Police Department in conducting a traffic stop of an individual matching the description of Ruiz.

Following the traffic stop in the southwest area of Los Angeles, Ruiz was positively identified and arrested without incident. Ruiz was booked at the Los Angeles Police Department and made a court appearance in state court in Los Angeles on Monday, April 8.

The United States government is expected to dismiss the federal warrant charging Ruiz with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Ruiz will be held in custody and returned to Chicago to face prosecution by the Cook County State’s Attorney in Chicago on the state’s murder charge.

The fugitive investigation was the result of cooperation among the FBI’s Chicago and Los Angeles Field Offices, the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Los Angeles Police Department. In Los Angeles, the Fugitive Task Force (FTF) is made up of agents and detectives with the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Los Angeles FTF also made arrests last week in the following unrelated cases:

A female fugitive wanted for a November 2012 murder in Las Vegas was arrested on the morning of Friday, April 5, in Gardena, California.

A female fugitive wanted for attempted murder at a Garden Grove nightclub was arrested on the evening of Thursday, April 4.

A fugitive wanted for his role in a murder of a minor in Los Angeles was arrested in Eagle Rock on Wednesday, April 3.

The FBI continues to work with local law enforcement to apprehend violent criminals charged with state crimes who then flee the jurisdiction interstate or internationally. Photos and descriptions of many fugitives wanted by the FBI can be found at www.fbi.gov.

Media Contacts

FBI Media Relations: 310-996-3343

FBI Chicago: Special Agent Joan Hyde: 312-829-1199