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Cesar Hernandez, a convicted murderer from Southern California, was arrested in Tijuana, Mexico, last week. Hernandez, 35, was wanted for the murder of a Mexican police officer and had escaped custody in California late last year. He was convicted in June 2019 for killing a man outside a Southeast Los Angeles bar and was sentenced to 80 years to life with the possibility of parole.
Hernandez was apprehended by Mexico’s State Investigation Agency after a shootout on April 9 in Tijuana, where he allegedly killed Abigail Esparza Reyes. Reyes was the leader of the "Gringo Hunters," a specialized Mexican police unit tasked with capturing U.S. fugitives in Mexico. The Baja California prosecutor’s office praised the coordinated efforts and intelligence work that led to Hernandez's capture, stating that he now faces criminal proceedings in Mexico.
Hernandez had escaped from custody on December 2 while being transported to a court appearance in Delano, California. He evaded staff, jumped out of the van, and fled on foot. Despite efforts to recapture him, Hernandez managed to cross into Mexico, where he continued to evade authorities.
The Baja California Attorney General’s Office emphasized that Hernandez's arrest was a top priority for law enforcement, given his status as a fugitive in both Mexico and the U.S. It remains unclear whether Hernandez will face prosecution in Mexico or be extradited back to California.