The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office says that Arriaga was taken into custody in Cpl. Singh’s handcuffs in Kern County on early Friday morning.
The suspect’s brother, 25-year-old Adrian Virgen and a co-worker 32-year-old Erik Razo Quiroz were also arrested on “accessory after the fact” charges for attempting to protect Arriaga. Authorities say both were also in the country illegally.
Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson says that Arriaga was attempting to make his way to Mexico when he was arrested. He was found at a house in Kern County that was being monitored by law enforcement.
Sheriff Christianson says that Arriaga was a member of the Sureños street gang and had been arrested twice before on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Sheriff said that Arriaga crossed into Arizona from Mexico illegally a couple of years ago and it is believed that he had been working on farms in California’s Central Valley.
Arriaga is accused of killing Corporal Singh when he conducted a traffic stop on Arriaga’s pickup truck in the small town of Newman early Wednesday morning, for suspicion of driving under the influence.
As he pulled over the vehicle, Corporal Singh described it to dispatchers as a silver Dodge Ram with paper plates from AR Auto, a dealership in the city of Merced.
RELATED: Vehicle of suspect who allegedly killed Newman Police Corporal was sold in Merced
Moments later, Singh called in for shots fired.
Several deputies from both Stanislaus and Merced counties responded, where they found the truck and suspect gone and Corporal Singh lying on the ground. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but died from his injuries.
RELATED: Witness records scene after Police Corporal is shot in Newman
That set off a statewide search for the suspect and his truck. Law enforcement quickly released surveillance video from a store showing the suspect.
The truck was found outside the city of Newman in a mobile home park on Wednesday afternoon, but the suspect was not found in the area.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump commented on the suspect’s immigration status in a tweet, “There is right now a full scale manhunt going on in California for an illegal immigrant accused of shooting and killing a police officer during a traffic stop. Time to get tough on Border Security. Build the Wall!”
There is right now a full scale manhunt going on in California for an illegal immigrant accused of shooting and killing a police officer during a traffic stop. Time to get tough on Border Security. Build the Wall!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2018
The victim, Corporal Ronil “Ron” Singh, was a K-9 officer with the Newman Police, a small department with just about a dozen sworn officers.
Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson remembered Singh as an “American patriot” who came to the U.S. from Fiji to become a police officer and loved his wife and 5-month-old son dearly.
VIDEO: Police chief gives emotional statement, calls slain Newman Cpl. Ronil Singh an ‘American patriot’
The officer’s canine partner, Sam, is now at home with the Singh family. Chief Richardson said that the dog would be retired from the department early to live permanently with the Singh family.
RELATED: ‘One minute you’re celebrating and one minute you’re not there:’ loved ones remember slain officer
A memorial fund has been set up for Corporal Singh. Donations can be made in several different ways:
In person:
Any West America Bank Branch to the Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Fund (Newman Police Department)
Mailed to:
Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association
Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Fund
PO Box 2314
Ceres, CA 95307
Online:
https://www.stanislaussworn.com/donation.html
The Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association says please be aware there are NO other approved or authorized memorial fund or online fundraising accounts that will be established.
