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Fugitive Involved In Fatal Stabbing Of Salinas Boy Arrested In Mexico

SALINAS (CBS SF) -- A fugitive involved in the stabbing death of a Salinas 14-year-old was arrested in Mexico on Wednesday, police said.

Angela Zuniga was sought by Salinas police for her role in the stabbing of purported gang member Ricardo Ruiz on May 17, 2013.

Zuniga confronted Ruiz at the intersection of East Alisal Street and North Madeira Avenue and asked what gang he was affiliated with. When he
answered, Zuniga allegedly stabbed Ruiz in the neck, according to police.

A citizen attempted to save Ruiz by transporting him to Natividad Medical Center, but he later died after his family decided to take him off
life-support.

Police obtained information that Zuniga had fled to Mexico immediately after the stabbing. Salinas police requested the help of the U.S. Marshals Service to assist in the investigation.

Mexican authorities were able to apprehend Zuniga in Tijuana and turn her over to U.S. Marshals custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, where she was booked into Las Colinas Detention Center to await extradition back to Monterey County.

"This is an 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," U.S. Marshal Donald O'Keefe said.

A second suspect in the stabbing, Leslie Denise Rico, 23, was arrested in connection with the stabbing on June 17, 2013, after she saw her photo distributed by police.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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