Jesus Canales, Who Fled to Mexico After Santa Ana Murder, is Returned to OC

Mexican authorities on Thursday handed over to Santa Ana police detectives Jesus Canales, who has been wanted since the summer of 2011 for the murder of a 16-year-old boy fatally shot on the front stoop of a Santa Ana home.

Alberto David Miller was sitting in front of the residence in the 300 block of E. Washington Street on July 22, 2011—a Sunday night—when another teen walked by, words were exchanged about their rival gangs and the unwanted visitor whipped out a handgun and blasted several shots.

Sustaining gunshot wounds to his legs and torso, Miller was rushed to Western Medical Center (now known as Orange County Global Medical Center) in Santa Ana, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Detectives working the case quickly zeroed in on a suspect and arrested then-19-year-old Juan Galvan, who was taken down at his Santa Ana home and later booked on suspicion of murder. His current status in the case could not be determined at press time. Galvan remains in custody and is going through the court process for the shooting, confirms Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, the Santa Ana police spokesman.

Detectives said in July 2011 that they believed then-18-year-old Jesus Canales was the actual shooter. Described as a documented gang member with a long criminal history, Canales was thought to have fled the area, prompting a warrant for his arrest to be issued.

The continued investigation determined Canales fled to Michoacan, Mexico, states a Santa Ana Police Department advisory that was issued this morning.

“He was recently detained by Mexican authorities,” reads the alert, which notes Canales was turned over to Santa Ana homicide detectives at LAX on Thursday.

The Orange County District Attorney's office has filed homicide charges and associated gang enhancements against Canales, police say.

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