Two of Puerto Rico’s most wanted fugitives, Jay Livan Diaz-Del Valle and Hector Manuel Cruz-Ayala, were captured in the Bronx after being involved in a shootout with police and escaping. The US Marshals fugitive task force apprehended both men in May 2023 after they had fled Puerto Rico following an incident with the local police where they opened fire on officers and wounded three people. The men were wanted for weapons possession charges and suspected involvement in several homicides.
After receiving information that Del Valle and Ayala might be hiding in New York City, the US Marshals and Puerto Rican police joined forces to locate the fugitives. Del-Valle was found first at East Tremont and Marmion avenues in the Bronx, followed by Ayala on the 2000 block of Vyse Avenue the next day. Both men are now in custody and will likely face charges of attempted murder of a police officer, weapons possession, and other offenses related to the December 2023 incident in Puerto Rico.
The capture of the two fugitives was a joint effort between the US Marshals fugitive task force and Puerto Rican law enforcement agencies. After months of searching, the authorities finally located Del Valle and Ayala in the Bronx, where they had been hiding since fleeing Puerto Rico. The men had a violent encounter with Puerto Rico Police Department officers, resulting in a shootout and multiple injuries before they escaped and went on the run.
The December 2023 incident in Puerto Rico involving Diaz-Del Valle and Cruz-Ayala led to a manhunt that spanned state lines, ultimately resulting in their apprehension in the Bronx. The men had been on the run for several months, with law enforcement agencies tracking their movements and working together to bring them to justice. The successful capture of these fugitives highlights the collaborative efforts of various agencies in pursuing and arresting dangerous criminals.
Del Valle and Ayala will likely face a range of charges related to their actions in Puerto Rico, including attempted murder of a police officer and weapons possession. The men’s violent encounter with law enforcement resulted in injuries to multiple individuals and raised concerns about their potential involvement in other criminal activities, such as homicides. Their capture in the Bronx puts an end to their time as fugitives and allows them to be held accountable for their actions.
The apprehension of Jay Livan Diaz-Del Valle and Hector Manuel Cruz-Ayala in the Bronx brings closure to a dangerous situation that began in Puerto Rico with a violent confrontation with law enforcement. The cooperation between US Marshals, Puerto Rican police, and other agencies ultimately led to the successful capture of these two fugitives. The men will now face charges for their actions, including the attempted murder of police officers and other criminal offenses stemming from their time on the run. Their arrest serves as a reminder of the dedication and coordination of law enforcement in pursuing and apprehending criminals to ensure the safety of communities.
