California fugitive wanted for attempted murder caught in Jefferson City

Jefferson City police have arrested a man wanted in the state of California in an attempted murder and kidnapping investigation.

According to police investigators from the Visalia California Police Department, they asked Jefferson City police officers to be on the lookout for Steven Lopez, 25. He was known to be a gang member, and California law enforcement believed Lopez had previously been in the central Missouri area.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, while investigating an unrelated report, police recognized Lopez while he was sitting in a car. When they approached him, he ran away but after a brief chase they caught up to him and took him into custody.

They confirmed Lopez’s identity from his fingerprints because he wouldn’t tell police who he was.

He is now being held for the California authorities. He is facing new charges for fugitive from justice, hindering prosecution and resisting arrest.