Benton County Deputy Arrests Man Sought In California Stabbing
Last updated Tuesday, July 22, 2008 7:16 PM CDT in News
By Melissa Sherman
The Morning News
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Related Photos ROGERS - A man wanted in California on a homicide charge was arrested Saturday during a routine traffic stop in Rogers.

Around 12:58 a.m. Saturday, a deputy with the Benton County Sheriff's Office noticed a vehicle near Fourth and Olive streets was left of center and pulled the vehicle over, said Capt. Mike Jones of the sheriff's office.

A man who identified himself as Yovani Roberto Cortez, 30, of 640 N. 12th St. Apt. 6, Rogers, was arrested in connection with misdemeanor traffic violations, including driving while intoxicated.

Cortez was transported to the Benton County Jail for processing when a jail deputy found Cortez's fingerprints matched those of a man sought in a slaying in Garden Grove, Calif., Jones said.

Garden Grove is south of Anaheim in Orange County.

The Garden Grove Police Department warrant was issued under the name Ruben Perez, Jones said. Authorities believe Perez was using Cortez's identity.


Garden Grove Police Detective Elaine Noce said police have been searching for Perez since 2001.

Perez is wanted in connection with the stabbing death of Rocio Leon, a woman in her 20s found lying in the street in an industrial area of Garden Grove on April 18, 2001, Noce said.

Leon had multiple stab wounds and was run over by a vehicle, Noce said.

Detectives received information Cortez went to Mexico then re-entered the United States some time after the stabbing incident, she said.

Perez was believed to have been the ex-boyfriend of Leon. The couple had a son together, Noce said.

Cortez refused to sign a waiver of extradition to California, said Capt. Hunter Petray, the Benton County Jail administrator.

Garden Grove must obtain a warrant from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in order to take Cortez back to California, Petray said.

Detectives will present the governor with the evidence from the crime in order to get the warrant, Noce said.

In the meantime, Cortez is being held in the Benton County Jail with holds from the Garden Grove Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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