RAPID CITY, S.D. – An illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador was arrested Wednesday morning in Rapid City, South Dakota, following a joint operation by the South Dakota Highway Patrol (SDHP) and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Authorities conducted a traffic stop on Haines Avenue near the intersection of Van Buren Street after ICE identified one of the vehicle’s occupants as a suspect in a foreign homicide case. Three individuals were detained without incident during the stop in Pennington County.
“South Dakota’s commitment to keeping our communities safe will not waiver. I commend the professionalism of the Highway Patrol and Homeland Security agents who located and safely took this dangerous murderer off our streets,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We will continue to work closely with our federal counterparts to protect the people of South Dakota.”
Officials identified the primary suspect as Manuel De Jesus Rodriguez-Lopez. He was arrested on a homicide warrant issued in El Salvador as well as for immigration-related violations. He was initially booked into the Pennington County Jail at 12:21pm. A second occupant, Josue Alfredo Navarro Lopez, was also arrested on immigration-related violations.
A third individual in the vehicle was confirmed to be lawfully present in the United States and was released at the scene.
The individuals taken into custody were transported to Homeland Security for processing. ICE will handle further investigation and potential additional charges. Officials noted that all individuals are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.
