Homicide Suspect from Puerto Rico Arrested in Gaston County after 3 Years on the Run

Gastonia, NC - The United States Marshals Service Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), along with the Gaston County Police, located and arrested Felix Perez-Ruiz today at 2033 Fallsdale Drive. A warrant was issued in Puerto Rico in 2013 for homicide and Perez-Ruiz fled to the continental United States shortly after to avoid capture.

Information developed during the course of the investigation confirmed Perez-Ruiz was residing in the Gastonia area. After confirming Perez-Ruiz’s location within the apartment, VOTF members, along with the Gaston County Police, forced entry into the residence to arrest Perez-Ruiz after he failed to comply with lawful commands.

Perez-Ruiz will be held in the Gaston County Jail pending extradition back to Puerto Rico.

The United States Marshals Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of the U.S. Marshals Service, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Department of Public Safety, and Department of Homeland Security.

Annually, investigations carried out by the U.S. Marshals result in the apprehension of approximately 34,000 federal fugitives. More federal fugitives are arrested by U.S. Marshals than all other federal agencies combined.