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CEDAR CITY — A man wanted in connection with a gang-related homicide investigation in the Los Angeles area has been arrested in southern Utah.
Jovani Ivan Ruvalcaba, 19, was taken into custody Wednesday morning in the 900 South block of 25 East by law enforcement agents from the FBI, Cedar City police and a SWAT team.
Ruvalcaba was wanted in connection with the shooting death of another person on Feb. 11 in the Los Angeles area, according to a prepared statement from Cedar City police. After the shooting, Ruvalcaba fled to Cedar City. Police Sgt. Clint Pollock said it was not immediately known why Ruvalcaba chose Cedar City to avoid arrest or if he has any family members in Utah.
FBI agents were able to track Ruvalcaba to a residence in Cedar City. Wednesday morning, a SWAT team used a "flash bang" device — a distraction device that creates a loud "bang" and bright light designed to temporarily disorient a suspect — at the residence.
"After the distraction device was deployed, agents gave announcements, Mr. Ruvalcaba exited the residence and was arrested without incident," police stated.
Two other people were also in the residence at the time.
Ruvalcaba will now be held in custody in Utah while authorities in California go through the process of having him extradited back to Los Angeles.
