*NEWS RELEASE*

ANONYMOUS TIP RESULTS IN CAPTURE OF FUGITIVE METH DEALER, DHS GANG MEMBER

INDIO - On October 29, 2009, Desert Hot Springs police officers arrested Christian Gilardo Lopez (DOB: 5/22/86) at his home in Desert Hot Springs after an anonymous tipster informed police that the fugitive had returned to his home on Wednesday night, after fleeing and hiding in Oklahoma.

Lopez is an active gang member in Desert Hot Springs and an identified member in the West Drive Locos criminal street gang injunction. In October 2008, Lopez, a known methamphetamine dealer, sold drugs in Wardman Park during a time when children from the local Boys & Girls Club were present. He was arrested at the conclusion of Phase I of Operation Falling Sun on March 27, 2009, when investigators served a search warrant at his home.

Lopez posted $50,000 bail and failed to appear at his June 1, 2009, court date. A $1 million warrant was issued on June 4, 2009. Lopez had not been seen by law enforcement officers for several months after he failed to appear. An anonymous tip led law enforcement officers to his house, where he had just returned after hiding in Oklahoma. Lopez was named one of Riverside County's Most Wanted Fugitives on Sept. 17, 2009.

Lopez is being held on $1 million dollars bail. His arraignment has not been scheduled at this time.