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San Jose Hells Angels Funeral Slaying Suspect Arrested

SAN JOSE (KCBS)— The San Jose Police Department arrested a member of Hells Angels Saturday, who is suspected in the murder of a fellow motorcycle-gang member at a funeral last fall.

Steven Ruiz surrendered without incident at the Days Inn Motel, located at 46101 Warm Springs Blvd. in Fremont according to SJPD Sgt. Jason Dwyer.

Dwyer claimed that on October 15th, Ruiz shot and killed Steve Tausan at the funeral for the San Jose chapter president of Hells Angels.

Jethro Pettigrow's funeral at San Jose's Oak Hill Cemetery had heavy police presence according to Dwyer. Police are investigating how Ruiz managed to escape after the alleged incident and eluded police for over the next four months.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

According to Dwyer, both Ruiz and Tausan were involved in a scuffle that escalated and ended in gunfire.

"He murdered somebody with a handgun in front of thousands of people. That's a very bold crime," Dwyer said on the severity of the incident in question.

Police aren't releasing if Ruiz was alone when arrested or if there were any weapons on him at the motel.  He'll be booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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