Full Notification

Lakewood Sheriff’s Station - Press Release - Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
5130 Clark Avenue, Lakewood Ca. 90712
(562) 623 -3500
www.lasd.org

Classification: Murder suspect featured on “America’s Most Wanted” is arrested in the city of Lakewood
Incident Date: 07/02/10
Author/Date/Time: Lt. Dinh / 07-02-10 / 1200 hours Incident Time: 0855 hours.
Incident Location: 4800 Block Conquista Avenue, Lakewood, CA. 90713
Victim(s): Roy Radabaugh MW/A
Suspect(s): James Edward Sims, A resident of the State of Florida MW/66
Narrative:
On July 2, 2010, homicide detectives from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office of the State of Florida came to Lakewood city in California to look for a murder suspect, who had been on the lam for 29 years. Suspect James Edward Sims was wanted by Lee County Sheriff’s Office and had been featured in an America’s Most Wanted episode on March 22, 2005, for a cold-blooded murder that occurred in Fort Meyers, Florida. According to the homicide detectives, Sims shot the victim in the face on January 18, 1981, because the victim reportedly stalked Sims’ then current girlfriend.

On January 20, 1981, a Florida court issued a murder arrest warrant for him. After the shooting, Sims fled from Florida and later resided in the city of Lakewood for 19 years under the assumed name of “Willis Bronas.” Lee County Sheriff’s detectives confirmed Sims’ identity and current address when Sims provided his thumb print to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. On July 2, 2010, around 8:00 A.M., Lee County Sheriff’s detectives conducted surveillance and subsequently arrested Sims without any incident when he stepped out of his house.

Deputy personnel from Lakewood Sheriff’s Station responded to the location to assist with the booking process and transportation of Sims.