Mexican fugitive found in Dryden, Michigan

http://www.countypress.com/stories/0907 ... 7003.shtml
by SUSAN YOUNGER
staff reporter
PUBLISHED: Friday, September 7, 2007

Local police nabbed a suspect thought to be wanted in Mexico on murder and escaping prison charges.

Arnoldo Deluna Montoya, 30, first gave Dryden Township Police Chief Larry Pack a false name and identification, hoping to avoid being turned over to immigration officials.

Problems began last Friday after a disturbance caused by Montoya while visiting his former girlfriend in her parents' Dryden Township home.

"Her father called us and wanted him escorted off the property," said Dryden Township Police Chief Larry Pack.

Pack arrived at the home about 11:35 a.m. with Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy Dan Bybee and two uniformed police officers from Almont. Earlier they had received a tip that Montoya was a wanted man in Mexico.

Montoya first told law enforcement his name was Javier Montoya.

"We did some checking and found out he had false ID," Pack said. "We called immigration and turned him over to the jail.

The jail said he was wanted for murder in Mexico and had escaped from prison."

Immigration agents Matthew Sabo and Thomas O'Connor picked up Montoya from the Lapeer County Jail on Tuesday for processing, said Lapeer County Sheriff's Lt. Duane Engelhardt, who is in charge of the jail. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Greg Palmore said he hadn't received validation of the charges by press time Thursday.

Local law enforcement is somewhat surprised over the seriousness of Montoya's suspected crimes.

"You just never know who the person you're talking to really is," Pack said.

"It's kind of unsettling that a person like that was blending into the community," Engelhardt said.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com