1994 West Covina Murder Fugitive Arrested in Mexico
1994 West Covina Murder Fugitive Arrested in Mexico
DATE OF RELEASE: March 17, 2014
On Friday, March 14, 2014, the West Covina Police Department was notified by the U.S. Marshal’s Office of a suspect wanted in connection with a West Covina murder that occurred in 1994 was now in custody.
Ricardo Cardenas, 38 of California was arrested in the city of Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico by Mexican Authorities and deported to the United States. Cardenas was flown into LAX on Saturday, March 15, 2014 and released to the custody of the West Covina Police Department Homicide Detectives. Cardenas was then transported to the West Covina Police Department where he was booked. He is set to appear at Pomona Superior Court on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Bail is $1,000,000.00.
On August 8, 1994 at 1035 hours, Cardenas arrived at the murder victim’s residence located in the 1100 block of Lark Ellen to discuss the previous sale of a vehicle. An argument ensued and Cardenas produced a gun and shot the victim. The victim, Homayun Aimaq, died as a result of the shooting. Cardenas was quickly identified as the suspect in the investigation; however he fled to Mexico shortly after the murder. A $1,000,000 warrant was issued for Cardenas’ arrest.
In 2014, WCPD homicide detectives reviewed the investigation and began to search for Cardenas. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals - San Diego Office’s Mexico Investigative Liaison Team, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Border Protection, new leads were developed as to Cardenas’ location. The Mexican Immigration Authorities were notified and located Cardenas, arresting him without incident.
West Covina Police Chief Dave Faulkner said, “Mr. Cardenas was captured due to the combined effort of several local and federal agencies who worked in conjunction with Mexican authorities. I am pleased to see our agencies working together to hold Mr. Cardenas accountable for the homicide.”
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Information released by:
West Covina Police Department
Public Information Officer Rudy Lopez
1444 West Garvey Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
626 939-8500
Web: www.wcpd.org
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Address/Location
West Covina Police Department
1444 W. Garvey Ave.
West Covina, CA 91791
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 626-939-8500