THE LONE STAR FUGITIVE TASK FORCE ARRESTS SIXTH SUSPECT IN RECENT BEATING DEATH IN SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio – The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested Robert Cruz late Monday night in a residential area near Meadow Point and Royal Haven. Cruz was the last of six suspects captured after a warrant for his arrest was issued in the recent beating death of a man in San Antonio.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Monday, March 19, 2007, Lone Star Fugitive Task Force members ended Cruz’s attempt to evade authorities. Task force members had established surveillance in areas Cruz was known to frequent. At 11:25 p.m. Cruz was spotted in a SUV with a female companion. Multiple Lone Star Fugitive Task Force members closed in on the vehicle and activated their emergency equipment. At first the vehicle sped up in an attempt to flee but after Task Force Members positioned their vehicles in a boxing maneuver, Cruz stopped and jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Cruz only ran about 15 yards before being tackled to the ground. A small caliber firearm was found close to the SUV and a shotgun was recovered in plain view inside the SUV.

The United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas LaFayette Collins said, “Our tremendous success in bringing fugitives such as Robert Cruz to justice is due to the dedication, teamwork, and spirit of cooperation between our fugitive task force member agencies.”

Participating agencies in this arrest:

Comal County Sheriff’s Office
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department
San Antonio Police Department /Repeat Offender Program/Homicide
Texas Rangers
United States Marshals Service