FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) – A Fresno murder suspect who eluded authorities for over two years has finally been captured.
Cristino Rocha, 48, was arrested in Waco, Texas, after a multi-state manhunt led by Fresno Police and supported by Crime Stoppers in both California and Texas.
Rocha had been on the run since May 2023, when investigators say he shot and killed 39-year-old Paul Fierro following an argument near Lansing Way and Glenn Avenue in central Fresno. Fierro was found lying in the street and later died at Community Regional Medical Center.
“He used fake IDs and bounced around,” said Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto. “He lived and worked in San Antonio until social media campaigns and tip line promotions caused him to flee to Waco.”
The breakthrough came thanks to a tip from the public, encouraged by a joint Crime Stoppers campaign. The tipster received a $3,000 reward, one of several payouts this year from Valley Crime Stoppers, which has distributed approximately $40,000 in rewards for tips leading to arrests.
Rocha isn’t the only murder suspect recently tracked down through this program. Last month, Aaminah Norman was arrested for the November 2023 shooting of Adriana Gonzalez. Police are still seeking Sabrina Agosto-Ramirez, a person of interest in that case. A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information leading to her arrest.
Rocha is expected to be extradited back to Fresno on August 4, where he will be booked into the Fresno County Jail and arraigned on murder charges.
