Spanish Police Arrest Camden Murder Suspect After Nearly Year on the Run

International manhunt ends in Barcelona with help from Spanish authorities

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Brooklyn man charged with a double shooting in Camden, New Jersey that left one man dead has been arrested in Barcelona, Spain after nearly 11 months on the run. Felix De La Cruz-Arias was apprehended by the Spanish National Police on January 30th following a tip from U.S. Marshals, showcasing the power of international law enforcement cooperation.

Why it matters

This arrest highlights the ability of law enforcement agencies to track down and apprehend violent fugitives across international borders. It also demonstrates the ongoing challenges communities like Camden face with gun violence and the need for robust investigative resources to bring perpetrators to justice, even when they try to evade capture by fleeing overseas.

The details

Arias is accused of shooting two people in Camden on March 12, 2025, killing one man and critically injuring another. Camden County police Detective Stephen Bezich, who is also part of the U.S. Marshal Service's regional fugitive task force, was able to determine Arias's location in Spain and pass that information to international authorities. The Spanish National Police then worked "tenaciously" to find and arrest Arias in Barcelona.

  • On March 12, 2025, Arias allegedly shot and killed Josue Hiraldo-Peralta and critically injured another victim in Camden.
  • On January 30, 2026, Arias was arrested in Barcelona, Spain by the Spanish National Police.

The players

Felix De La Cruz-Arias

A 30-year-old Brooklyn man charged with murder and attempted murder for a double shooting in Camden, New Jersey in March 2025.

Josue Hiraldo-Peralta

A 32-year-old Camden man who was shot and killed in the March 2025 incident.

Stephen Bezich

A Camden County police detective who is also a member of the U.S. Marshal Service's New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, and who helped track Arias to Spain.

Grace MacAulay

The Camden County Prosecutor who stated that Arias's arrest "sends a clear message that violence in our community will be pursued wherever it leads, even across international borders."

Nicholas Ricigliano

The U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey, who praised the "strong international partnerships" that enabled the apprehension of Arias in Spain.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This arrest sends a clear message that violence in our community will be pursued wherever it leads, even across international borders.”

— Grace MacAulay, Camden County Prosecutor (wearethejerseyshore.com)

“Through strong international partnerships, our ability to locate and apprehend fugitives beyond our borders is unmatched”

— Nicholas Ricigliano, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey (wearethejerseyshore.com)

What’s next

Authorities in the U.S. are expected to soon begin the process of extraditing Felix De La Cruz-Arias from Spain to face charges in New Jersey.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the power of international law enforcement cooperation in tracking down and apprehending violent fugitives who try to evade justice by fleeing across borders. It also highlights the ongoing challenges communities like Camden face with gun violence and the need for robust investigative resources to bring perpetrators to account, no matter where they try to hide.