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MURDER CHARGE

Homicide suspect arrested in 2003 Phoenix cold case

Phoenix Police detectives have arrested a suspect in a deadly shooting that occurred 21 years ago.

On Jan. 11, 2003, officers responded to a call near 41st Street and McDowell Road where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, Anton Matous, 57, was taken to the hospital where he died, according to a release from the Phoenix Police Department.

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MURDER CHARGE

Homicide suspect arrested in 2003 Phoenix cold case

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Phoenix Police detectives have arrested a suspect in a deadly shooting that occurred 21 years ago.

On Jan. 11, 2003, officers responded to a call near 41st Street and McDowell Road where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, Anton Matous, 57, was taken to the hospital where he died, according to a release from the Phoenix Police Department.

Homicide detectives assumed the investigation and learned that Hector Bautista, who is now 42, and another man tried to rob the victim, who was shot during the robbery attempt, police said.

Investigators identified Bautista in a photo lineup and learned he fled the country immediately after the shooting. Phoenix Police and other local and federal law enforcement agencies had attempted to find, arrest and extradite him since 2003.

With the help of the U.S. Marshals Service, Bautista was extradited to Phoenix and arrested earlier this month.

“Ever since this cruel and senseless murder occurred in 2003," Detective Dominick Roestenberg said, “the Phoenix Police Department, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service have worked tirelessly to get justice for Anton and his family."

Bautista was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. The second suspect was arrested and charged in 2003 and has been convicted of crimes related to the Phoenix investigation. 

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