The U.S. Marshals and Rexburg police arrested a Puerto Rican-born murder suspect at a Walmart on Thursday night.
Puerto Rican Adam Michael Edwards Maldonado, 23, was arrested without incident at a Rexburg Walmart around 10:15 p.m., according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
He is accused of killing Adalberto Cruz Figueroa on February 24, 2021 in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
The Marshal said Edwards Maldonado shot Figueroa, an adult man in his 40s, several times after the two got into an altercation.
Police in Puerto Rico identified Edwards Maldonado as a suspect shortly after the incident, but he fled to eastern Idaho before being arrested, the marshal said.
According to a U.S. Marshals Service press release, “In October 2022, a federal court in Puerto Rico issued an arrest warrant indicting Edwards-Maldonado for murder. We have investigated this incident and have contacted the U.S. Marshals Service and are seeking assistance from the District of Idaho.”
Authorities said Edwards Maldonado was living with his family in a home in the Salem community, north of Rexburg, when he was arrested.
The Marshal said it was unclear why Edwards Maldonado fled Puerto Rico to eastern Idaho after killing Figueroa.
Edwards Maldonado is currently being held in Madison County Jail on a Puerto Rico warrant, but is expected to be quickly extradited to the island federation to face murder charges against him.
“The arrest warrant we executed appears to have bail of $450,000…” said Paul Baxley, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Idaho District. “I understand that this individual is likely to undergo a background hearing before a Madison County judge … then an extradition issue arises and he either submits to extradition or has an extradition hearing. I will receive it.”
The Marshal said Edwards Maldonado’s arrest was made possible with assistance from Rexburg Police.
“We really appreciate the support of the Rexburg Police Department and appreciate these partnerships because they help us get the job done,” said Baxley. “Without them, we wouldn’t have made it.”
The Marshal said he also received assistance from Puerto Rican authorities in tracking Edwards Maldonado to eastern Idaho.
“Don’t run to Idaho because we’ll catch you,” said Deputy Marshal Ryan Weisher.
