(Abdul–Rahman Oladimeji Bello, Headline USA) Federal authorities have credited the arrest of the four-time deported Texas mass shooting suspect to a tip submitted through the FBI tip line, according to a Fox News report.
“It was a multi-jurisdictional operation, to say the least. DPS, C.I.D. U.S. Marshals, FBI,” San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said during a Tuesday press conference. “We had a tag team, and they all meandered over there and found out that that tip to be true.”
According to information from the authorities, they received the tip about the suspect’s location at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday. About 75 minutes later, the suspect was apprehended unharmed in the Cleveland area, approximately 20 miles from the home where the shooting occurred.
“He was caught hiding in a closet underneath some laundry. They were effective [and] made the arrest. He is uninjured and is currently being taken to my facility in Cold Springs,” the sheriff said.
The apprehended suspect, 38-year-old Francisco Oropesa, is a Mexican suspected for shooting five of his neighbors before midnight on April 28. Prior to this incident, the United States had deported him several times, but he managed to find his way back.
To assist with the manhunt, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office and multi-county crime stoppers announced a reward of $55,000 to individuals with helpful tips. FBI Special Agent in Charge James Smith also announced an additional $25,000, totaling the reward to $80,000.
During the press conference, authorities confirmed that they would pay the reward to the individual for their assistance. FBI ASAC Jimmy Paul added that the FBI was “extremely delighted that the suspect was captured” as he praised the individual’s “courage and bravery.”
“The tip for the suspect’s location came in through the FBI tip line. And we just want to thank the person who had the courage and bravery to call in the suspect’s location,” Paul said at the conference. “We always said it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when the suspects will be caught. And we’re extremely glad that today was the when.”
The sheriff noted that over 225 officers assisted in this manhunt, including efforts in Wyoming, Florida, South Texas, North Texas, Oklahoma and Maryland. Moreso, the hunt and arrest included the Department of Homeland Security efforts.
