U.S. Marshals ended a nine-year manhunt by tracking down and arresting a Phoenix murder suspect in Mexico.
According to the agency, 30-year-old Elton Jardines, wanted for two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault -- was extradited to the U.S. Thursday after his Wednesday arrest in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.
"Elton Jardines is accused of committing a cowardly and senseless act of violence which was not forgotten by the victims, their families, or the community," said United States Marshal David Gonzales, in a statement. "The United States Marshals Service and Phoenix Police Department worked tirelessly to bring to an end to a 9-year manhunt. A special thanks to our partners in Mexican law enforcement that helped ensure that this double homicide suspect can finally be held accountable for his crimes."
Authorities say that Jardines and three others argued with a group of women parked in a nearby car at a convenience store parking lot in May 2009. Jardines fired a handgun into the air, then shot at the women, killing Joanna Lopez and Crystal Arrona and wounding two others. Jardines fled to Mexico and the car he was driving in was found burned and abandoned.
He was booked into Maricopa County Jail.
