SALINAS, CA – U.S. Marshal Donald O’Keefe is proud to announce the arrest of Angela ZUNIGA, who was sought by the Salinas Police Department for her role in the stabbing death of, 14 year old, Ricardo Ruiz. ZUNIGA was a featured fugitive on the Northern California’s Most Wanted website.
In May of 2013, ZUNIGA confronted Ruiz as he walked with friends at the intersection of East Alisal and North Madeira Ave. in Salinas. It’s alleged that ZUNIGA asked Ruiz what gang he was affiliated with. When Ruiz confirmed he was in a gang, ZUNIGA immediately began stabbing Ruiz in the neck. A Good Samaritan attempted to save Ruiz by transporting him to Natividad Medical Center, but later died after family decided to take him off life-support.
Information was obtained that ZUNIGA had fled to Mexico immediately after the stabbing. ZUNIGA believed that by fleeing to Mexico she would be untouchable. The Salinas Police Department requested the assistance of the United States Marshals Service to assist in the investigation.
On July 30, 2013, Mexican Authorities were able to locate and apprehend ZUNIGA in Tijuana, Mexico. ZUNIGA, who is a United States citizen, was deported from Mexico and turned over to U.S. Marshals custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and booked into Las Colinas Detention Center, where she awaits extradition back to Monterey County.
Due to the relentless investigation of the Salinas Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Mexican Investigative Liaison (MIL) Units in San Jose and San Diego, ZUNIGA will be finally brought to Justice.
“This is example of how close cooperation between local, state, federal and foreign Law Enforcement are apprehending fugitive gang members who think they can operate with impunity in the Salinas community,” said US Marshal Donald O’Keefe.
The U.S. Marshals Service is the primary federal agency charged with conducting fugitive investigations throughout the United States and abroad. The U.S. Marshals Service regularly works in concert with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to seek out and arrest violent fugitives and sex offenders, and has established task forces throughout the nation to facilitate the apprehension of fugitives.
