Suspect Arrested in 1997 Iowa Hit-and-Run Case After ‘America’s Most Wanted’ Tip
Police in Iowa have arrested a suspect in a deadly hit-and-run case from 29 years ago. A tip received after a rerun of "America’s Most Wanted" aired an episode about the 1997 incident helped investigators locate and arrest Gerardo Garcia-Michel…
Hartford & New Haven, CT, October 1, 2026 — A suspect has been apprehended in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred 29 years ago in Des Moines, Iowa. The arrest of Gerardo Garcia-Michel in New Jersey marks a significant development in the cold case involving the death of Leslie Ruby.
Investigators were able to locate and arrest Garcia-Michel following a tip that was received after a rerun of the television program “America’s Most Wanted” featured the 1997 case. The broadcast prompted new information that investigators utilized to pursue leads across state lines.
The incident leading to Leslie Ruby’s death took place in 1997. Details regarding the exact date of the incident, the specific circumstances surrounding the hit-and-run, or the timeline of the investigation following the initial event were not provided in the available information. Similarly, the precise date of Gerardo Garcia-Michel’s arrest in New Jersey was not specified.
“America’s Most Wanted” has a history of assisting law enforcement agencies in apprehending fugitives and solving cold cases by leveraging its audience to generate tips. The success in this particular case underscores the program’s continued potential to reignite dormant investigations through public awareness campaigns.
The investigation into the 1997 hit-and-run is ongoing, and further details are expected as the case progresses through the legal system. The Iowa authorities have taken the lead in pursuing charges against the suspect.
Story summarized from the original created by KCRG Staff, Gray News staff on www.wfsb.com, see more information here.
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