A 34-year-old fugitive wanted for attempted murder and other violent crimes in California and Nevada was apprehended Sunday following a vehicle pursuit in Catawba County.
Fernando Anthony Avalos of California was arrested on March 15 after deputies disabled his car on Highway 16 South. Avalos first refused to provide deputies his name or any other identifying information at the site.
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Investigators later identified him through collaboration with local and federal partners, revealing that he was a wanted fugitive facing a number of violent crime accusations in Los Angeles and Vegas.
The pursuit began when deputies tried a traffic stop on Avalos for an equipment violation. After he failed to stop, deputies deployed stop sticks to immobilize his car and apprehend him on the scene.
Avalos is charged with attempted murder in Los Angeles, and his bond is set at $5 million.
His warrants in Las Vegas include attempted murder, felony escape, child abuse, violence with significant bodily harm, and domestic burglary. He is also wanted in Nevada on two counts of domestic assault, animal abuse, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Following the pursuit, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office charged Avalos with felony fleeing to avoid arrest with a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving, and resisting an officer. Additional traffic fines include driving left of center and failing to stop at red lights.
Several agencies helped the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation and arrest, including the Newton Police Department, Maiden Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement gave assistance.
Avalos is being held at the Catawba County Detention Facility without bond. He is still in detention pending extradition to California and Nevada.
