Man wanted in wife's death arrested in Mexico

By Debbi Baker
July 13, 2011

SAN DIEGO — A fugitive who authorities said stabbed his estranged wife to death five years ago and then fled to Mexico was returned to the United States Wednesday.

Mauricio Tadeo, 46, who was arrested near Mexico City by FBI agents, was taken into custody by San Diego police in Los Angeles about 10 a.m., homicide Lt. Kevin Rooney said.

He was driven to San Diego where he was booked into jail on one count of murder, Rooney said.

Tadeo, a Mexican citizen, is suspected in the death of 36-year old Alma Tadeo, who was attacked in front of her Southcrest home on Boston Avenue on Jan. 26, 2006.

The mother of three was pronounced dead at 1:48 p.m., and Tadeo’s black Nissan pickup was recorded crossing the border less than an hour later, Rooney said. It was found the next day at Tijuana International Airport.

“He’s been in Mexico ever since,â€