2nd Top 10 Gangster Arrested

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department today announced the capture of its second Top-10 Most Wanted Gang Member, 43-year-old Steve Garcia.

Garcia was arrested in Rosarito Beach by Mexican authorities on March 2, 2007. Subsequently, he was transported to the U.S. border and handed over to U.S. Marshal custody. The suspect was then taken to the California Institute for Men  Chino State Prison.

"This is the second capture since announcing the Top-10 list," said Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton. "The efforts of the U.S. Marshal’s Southwest Regional Task Force, the Mexican government, District Attorney investigators, U.S. Border Patrol, and LAPD detectives were all instrumental in achieving the apprehension of this individual. This arrest is a significant accomplishment and shows the continued collaborative efforts among multiple agencies to bring about the capture of those individuals on the Top-10 Most Wanted Gang Member List."

Garcia was arrested at Rosarito Beach in Baja California. Information developed in Los Angeles by the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force and District Attorney investigators revealed that Garcia was going to be at a market in Rosarito Beach. Personnel from the District Attorney’s office, assisted by U.S. Marshals and the Anti-Kidnapping Task Force in Baja California, conducted a stakeout of the market. As Gracia walked out of the business he was arrested.

Garcia was wanted for a murder that occurred on February 12, 2001. After becoming involved in an argument, Garcia left the location, returned with a gun and shot the victim. Detectives believed Garcia fled to Mexico after the shooting.

The replacement of the Top-10 Most Wanted gang member list will be announced in a separate News Release.