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Mexican "Public Enemy No. One" Arrested in Los Angeles

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 July 2005, 09:00 CDT

Mexican "public enemy No. one" arrested in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The man known as "public enemy No. one" in Mexico and an international fugitive for nearly two decades was in custody on Tuesday following his arrest at his residence in a southern suburb of Los Angeles, authorities here said.

Arturo Montoya, also known as Alfredo Rios Galaena, had been featured on Mexico's list of most wanted fugitives for his alleged role in a series of bloody bank robberies in Mexico City in the 1970s and 1980s, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Montoya, 51, was taken into custody by members of ICE's fugitive operations team after investigators with the California Department of Motor Vehicles had received a tip on his whereabouts, ICE said.

Montoya reportedly underwent cosmetic surgery to alter his appearance, according to ICE officials, who said the fugitive's identity was confirmed through fingerprints.

Montoya, who was sought in Mexico on eight felony warrants including charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery, had been at large since 1986, said ICE.

``Our message to international fugitives is that our border will not be barriers to bringing violent criminals to justice," said Norma Bonales of ICE's Los Angeles office.

``ICE is working closely with our law enforcement partners locally and around the globe to identify these individuals and take them off the streets," Bonales said.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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