The Denver Post is reporting that officials in Denver have picked up a suspect that is believed to have been involved in the killings of hundreds of women in the border town of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (Mexico). Details are still sketchy, but Mexican officials are also saying that there is reason to believe that the suspect is part of a group of criminals responsible for the crimes:

Edgar Alvarez-Cruz was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Denver for being in the country illegally after Mexican authorities asked the U.S. Marshals Service to help locate him in the city.

Mexican authorities believe Alvarez-Cruz is part of a gang of men who raped and murdered at least 10 women in Ciudad Juarez from 1993 to 2003, U.S. Ambassador Antonio O. Garza Jr. said.

The suspect apparently has an arrest record in the state of Colorado dating back to 2002, and was apprehended on an immigration violation. No warrant was issued for the murders but:

Mexican authorities made a specific request that they wanted Alvarez-Cruz in custody.

Mexico Attorney General Daniel Cabeza de Vaca told reporters Alvarez-Cruz had been under investigation but fled the country.

“We don’t exactly know how many homicides he may have been responsible for, but there is solid evidence in several cases we know of,” Cabeza de Vaca said.

Here’s hoping this is a breakthrough, but pressure on the Mexican government to put a stop to this should not subside. If this man is involved, he is but one piece of the puzzle and we should all continue to make noise about this cause.

Via / The Denver Post