Fugitive Wanted in Phoenix Homicide Returned to Arizona After Apprehension in Mexico
Phoenix, AZ / September 11, 2026 – A man wanted for more than 25 years in connection with a Phoenix homicide has been returned to Arizona following his apprehension in Mexico.
Abraham Rafael Pedroza-Garcia, 65, was wanted on charges of murder, aggravated assault and burglary stemming from a fatal stabbing that occurred April 1, 2000.
According to investigators, Pedroza-Garcia allegedly entered his former girlfriend’s home, fatally stabbed her and also stabbed her partner. An Arizona warrant was issued for his arrest on September 13, 2000.
“The successful apprehension and return of Pedroza-Garcia to Arizona reflects the outstanding investigative work and cooperation of the Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service and Mexican authorities,” said U.S. Marshal Van Bayless. “This case demonstrates that the passage of time and international borders will not prevent law enforcement from pursuing those accused of violent crimes and bringing them before the court.”
The Phoenix Police Department and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service District of Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force, which adopted the fugitive investigation in 2023.
Using international investigative resources, investigators assigned to the District of Arizona’s Mexico Investigative Liaison Team developed information in 2024 indicating Pedroza-Garcia was residing in Mexico. The U.S. Marshals Service then coordinated with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and other partners while the required extradition package was prepared, approved and formally submitted to Mexican authorities.
A Mexican arrest warrant was issued in April 2026, and Pedroza-Garcia was apprehended by Mexican authorities in May 2026.
Following the arrest, the District of Arizona’s Mexico Investigative Liaison Team continued coordinating with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service International Investigations Branch’s Mexico Foreign Field Office and Mexican authorities to facilitate Pedroza-Garcia’s extradition to the United States.
On September 11, 2026, members of the District of Arizona’s Mexico Investigative Liaison Team escorted Pedroza-Garcia from Mexico to Arizona without incident. He was transferred to the appropriate authorities to face the pending charges.
The Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force is a U.S. Marshals Service led multi-jurisdictional fugitive apprehension unit responsible for more than 1748 arrests in the last year. The task force is comprised of 22 agencies bringing together the resources of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the community’s most violent offenders and sexual predators.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at https://www.usmarshals.gov.
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Source: U.S. Marshals Service (usmarshals.gov)
