Fugitive Wanted For 20-Year-Old Lithia Murder Arrested In Mexico

LITHIA, FL -- A man who has been on the run for a Lithia murder for more than 20 years is now in custody.

On May 26, 1998, Pedro Tapia-Lopez was found dead under a bridge in the area of Boyette Road and Browning Road, next to Fish Hawk Creek in Lithia.

Tapia-Lopez had been shot multiple times. Blood and a latent palm print were found on the guardrail along the bridge above his body. The palm print was identified as belonging to Israel Carrillo, 68. Blood was also found in the back of a GMC Jimmy rented to Israel Carillo at the time of this murder. The blood found in the back of the rental vehicle was identified as Pedro Tapia-Lopez's.

An arrest warrant was issued for Carrillo on Jan. 14, 1999, for first-degree murder. Carrillo was also wanted for an outstanding warrant for aggravated battery from 1998.

After following several leads, the FBI located Carrillo in Mexico and he was arrested by Mexican police on Wednesday, March 27. He was extradited back to the United States on Thursday.