Chandler murder suspect arrested in Virginia after 22-year pursuit
May 30, 2019, 12:45 PM
(Chandler Police Photo)
PHOENIX — A man was arrested this month for allegedly murdering a 15-year-old in 1997, 22 years to the day of the boy’s death, according to Chandler police.
Venancio Cortez Miramontes, age 21 at the time of the crime, allegedly fatally shot Luis Andrea Parra inside of a Chandler residence, according to a press release.
Following the shooting, Miramontes fled the country and a nationwide warrant was issued for his arrest, police said.
Earlier this year, a Chandler detective assigned to the U.S. Marshal’s Service developed information that Miramontes was located in Fauquier County, Virginia.
Polce said marshals in Warrenton, Virginia, then conducted surveillance and arrested Miramontes without incident on May 17.
He is currently being held in Farquier County Jail and will be transported to Arizona and booked into Maricopa County Jail on one count of manslaughter, police said.
“The tenacious efforts of our Robbery/Homicide Unit when investigating cold cases has been highly successful,” Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said in the release.