The decade-long manhunt for one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives ended this week as Arnoldo Jimenez was captured in Monterrey, Mexico. According to an FBI press release, Jimenez was taken into custody on Thursday, without incident. The arrest is the culmination of a collaborative effort featuring the FBI Chicago, FBI San Antonio, the FBI's Legal Attaché in Mexico City, and the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois. Notably, the arrest involved the assistance of the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) and Interpol, highlighting the commitment to globally pursue and finally seize individuals accused of serious crimes.
Jimenez was wanted in connection with the 2012 murder of Estrella Carrera, his bride, who was found deceased in her bathtub less than 48 hours after her wedding. "The FBI is extremely appreciative of the Burbank Police Department, our law enforcement partners in Mexico, and the public for their tremendous investigative efforts and collaboration in the capture of Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Arnoldo Jimenez," Douglas S. DePodesta, special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office, stated. He further elaborated on the Bureau's unwavering resolve "to bring criminals to justice, no matter how much time has passed or where they may be in the world."
With Jimenez's capture, attention now turns to the legal proceedings, with extradition to the United States as the next step. The search for Jimenez began shortly after Carrera's murder, leading to a state warrant issued by the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, and soon thereafter, a federal arrest warrant when Jimenez was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Jimenez had reached a notorious milestone as the 522nd person added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, a list that has been chronicling the most dangerous fugitives since March 1950. More details regarding Arnoldo Jimenez and the FBI's list of fugitives can be accessed at the FBI's official website.
Reflecting on the arrest, Burbank Police Department's Deputy Chief William Casey shared, "The apprehension of Arnoldo Jimenez was the result of the tireless teamwork by the FBI and Burbank Police Department, and we would like to commend the professionalism and dedication of everyone involved." He acknowledged the long-standing commitment from the involved agencies "to bringing justice for Estrella Carrera and her family." Jimenez now awaits the legal process to unfold, with the international law enforcement community observing a significant victory in their continuous fight against crime.
