Amber Alert Dad Captured In Mexico 3 Weeks After Girlfriend's Murder: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles man accused of killing his girlfriend and fleeing to Mexico with their 5-year-old daughter — triggering an Amber Alert late last month — has been apprehended south of the border, according to police.

Ruben Fregosojuarez, 40, is accused of murder and child abuse under circumstances or conditions other than great bodily injury or death, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The suspect's last name is alternatively indicated as Fregoso by authorities.

Prosecutors claim Fregosojuarez killed his girlfriend on or around May 25 before fleeing to Mexico with the couple’s daughter.

"Detectives learned this weekend that the suspect ... has been taken into custody in Mexico," the Los Angeles Police Department said Monday.

Additionally, the couple's daughter was located safely and was in the custody of Mexican officials at that time, police said.

Authorities identified the missing child as Daleyza Fregoso. Police initially spelled her first name as Daleza. The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert on May 28 after the girl was last seen with her father.

The pair were believed to be traveling in a Land Rover Discovery SUV that was later found near the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego County. Surveillance video appeared to show the suspect and child leaving a parking structure near the crossing. The vehicle was later located, but the man and his daughter remained missing, authorities said.

The day after the Amber Alert was issued, officers responded to the 2600 block of South Alsace Avenue for a welfare check, where they found the woman dead inside the residence, police said.

Authorities said the victim appeared to have suffered a violent death. They have not released her name.

"Investigators have learned that (Fregosojuarez) made statements indicating he intended to flee the country," the Los Angeles Police Department said.

If convicted as charged, Fregosojuarez faces 25 years to life in state prison.

"In the coming days, United States Embassy officials in Mexico will begin returning Daleyza
Fregoso to her family. In addition, the extradition process will begin for Ruben Fregoso," the LAPD said Monday.

City News Service contributed to this report.