U.S. Marshals announced Wednesday that the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Erasmo “Junior” Cruz in Puerto Rico.
Cruz, 55-years old, previously of Harrisburg, is charged with the August 30, 1980 murder of Nancy Lee Patterson and Deborah Diane Patterson in Freedom Township, Adams County.
Just prior to 3 a.m. on August 30, 1980, the Patterson family awoke to find that Molotov cocktails had been thrown into the kitchen and their home was on fire. The family, which included Paul Sell (43-years old), Nancy Patterson (41), and their children, Deborah Patterson (17), Judy Patterson (16) and John Sell-Patterson ran out of the home to escape the fire.
Outside, masked men were waiting for them. Paul, Nancy and Deborah were shot by at least one of the men, but the two younger children escaped unharmed. Nancy Patterson was shot in the back and neck. Her daughter Deborah Patterson was shot in the mouth from close range. Both died from their wounds.
Initially, Keith Patterson, a son of Nancy’s who did not live in the home, was charged with the murders. He was acquitted at trial. The case was never closed.
In late 2010, the Pennsylvania State Police uncovered evidence that Erasmo Cruz was the perpetrator. Cruz and Deborah Patterson allegedly had been in a romantic relationship that she had ended shortly before the murders. According to witnesses, Cruz was extremely jealous and abusive.
In January 2011, a warrant was issued in Adams County charging Cruz with two counts each of Criminal Homicide and Conspiracy, and one count each of Arson and Burglary. The Pennsylvania State Police soon learned that Cruz had fled Pennsylvania and was living in Puerto Rico.
They requested the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate the fugitive Cruz. On February 1, 2011, a federal warrant was issued in U.S. District Court charging Cruz with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.
In early 2011, the United States Marshals Service in the Middle District of Pennsylvania was asked to assist in the investigation. The USMS gave the highest priority to this fugitive case, and worked with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Numerous leads were developed on the whereabouts of Cruz; however Puerto Rico was always the place he was believed to be hiding out.
Based upon a collateral lead sent from the Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in Harrisburg, the Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Puerto Rico closed in on a location of Cruz. He was believed to be residing at a home in the village of Juana Diaz and on August 15, 2012, Marshals located Cruz standing outside of this residence. When confronted, Cruz fled into the house and attempted to barricade himself, however, Marshals were able to make entry and safely took Erasmo Cruz into custody.
Cruz is being held in custody in Puerto Rico pending court proceedings concerning his extradition to Pennsylvania.
United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “This case presented the Marshals Service with a significant challenge. The double murder occurred over 3 decades ago, but the case investigation never ceased. It is my sincere hope that the victims’ families and the surviving victims can and will rest easier knowing that this alleged perpetrator is now in custody. Justice in this case must be served.”
Marshal Pane commended the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their cooperation. “Our combined efforts ensured that Cruz was not going to get away.”
The concept of all USMS-led fugitive task forces is to seek out and arrest the nation’s most dangerous offenders. Information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov
Cruz, 55-years old, previously of Harrisburg, is charged with the August 30, 1980 murder of Nancy Lee Patterson and Deborah Diane Patterson in Freedom Township, Adams County.
Just prior to 3 a.m. on August 30, 1980, the Patterson family awoke to find that Molotov cocktails had been thrown into the kitchen and their home was on fire. The family, which included Paul Sell (43-years old), Nancy Patterson (41), and their children, Deborah Patterson (17), Judy Patterson (16) and John Sell-Patterson ran out of the home to escape the fire.
Outside, masked men were waiting for them. Paul, Nancy and Deborah were shot by at least one of the men, but the two younger children escaped unharmed. Nancy Patterson was shot in the back and neck. Her daughter Deborah Patterson was shot in the mouth from close range. Both died from their wounds.
Initially, Keith Patterson, a son of Nancy’s who did not live in the home, was charged with the murders. He was acquitted at trial. The case was never closed.
In late 2010, the Pennsylvania State Police uncovered evidence that Erasmo Cruz was the perpetrator. Cruz and Deborah Patterson allegedly had been in a romantic relationship that she had ended shortly before the murders. According to witnesses, Cruz was extremely jealous and abusive.
In January 2011, a warrant was issued in Adams County charging Cruz with two counts each of Criminal Homicide and Conspiracy, and one count each of Arson and Burglary. The Pennsylvania State Police soon learned that Cruz had fled Pennsylvania and was living in Puerto Rico.
They requested the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate the fugitive Cruz. On February 1, 2011, a federal warrant was issued in U.S. District Court charging Cruz with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.
In early 2011, the United States Marshals Service in the Middle District of Pennsylvania was asked to assist in the investigation. The USMS gave the highest priority to this fugitive case, and worked with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Numerous leads were developed on the whereabouts of Cruz; however Puerto Rico was always the place he was believed to be hiding out.
Based upon a collateral lead sent from the Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in Harrisburg, the Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Puerto Rico closed in on a location of Cruz. He was believed to be residing at a home in the village of Juana Diaz and on August 15, 2012, Marshals located Cruz standing outside of this residence. When confronted, Cruz fled into the house and attempted to barricade himself, however, Marshals were able to make entry and safely took Erasmo Cruz into custody.
Cruz is being held in custody in Puerto Rico pending court proceedings concerning his extradition to Pennsylvania.
United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “This case presented the Marshals Service with a significant challenge. The double murder occurred over 3 decades ago, but the case investigation never ceased. It is my sincere hope that the victims’ families and the surviving victims can and will rest easier knowing that this alleged perpetrator is now in custody. Justice in this case must be served.”
Marshal Pane commended the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their cooperation. “Our combined efforts ensured that Cruz was not going to get away.”
The concept of all USMS-led fugitive task forces is to seek out and arrest the nation’s most dangerous offenders. Information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov