DETROIT – United States Marshals have brought to Detroit a prime suspect in the 1989 murder of a mother of three.
Rosie Woolwine was last seen alive at a southwest Detroit restaurant watching the Detroit Pistons win a championship. She was later found shot to death.
Her daughter, Theresa Ramirez, was 7 years old at the time.
"I just remember my dad coming into the bedroom and telling us she was gone," said Ramirez. "It's the first time I'd ever seen him cry."
Juan Cruz quickly emerged as a suspect, but disappeared.
When Ramirez was 25, she obtained the police file and put heat back into a cold case. United States Deputy Marshal Aaron Garcia agreed to help. He's part of the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team, consisting of federal, state and local officers.
He says good police work helped them locate Cruz in Mexico.
"There were arrests, deportations--a ton of work." he said.
Cruz was arrested a year ago. After a lengthy extradition fight, Garcia flew the handcuffed prisoner back to Michigan last night.
"I'm just hoping Theresa gets the closure she needs and that justice is served," he said.
Cruz could be arraigned as early as tomorrow.
Ramirez thanks Garcia and other officers for their help. She promises to be in court every step of the way.
"I feel this is my job, my duty. I owe it to my mother to carry on what I started."