Suspect Arrested for 1997 Des Moines Hit-and-Run
U.S. Marshals apprehended Gerardo Garcia-Michel in New Jersey nearly three decades after a fatal hit-and-run incident.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Crime — General
Des Moines police have arrested Gerardo Garcia-Michel in connection with the 1997 death of Leslie Ruby. The breakthrough followed a tip to Crime Stoppers sparked by a television broadcast featuring the long-unsolved case.
Why it matters
The arrest brings a major development to a cold case that remained open for 29 years, offering potential closure to a decades-old tragedy in Des Moines. It demonstrates the persistent impact of public appeals in resolving legacy criminal investigations.
Gerardo Garcia-Michel was 28 years old at the time of the incident, while victim Leslie Ruby was 64. The suspect is currently in custody in New Jersey awaiting extradition to Iowa.
The players
Gerardo Garcia-Michel
He is the primary suspect arrested by U.S. Marshals for a fatal 1997 hit-and-run incident.
Leslie Ruby
She was a 64-year-old resident of Des Moines who died in a hit-and-run incident.
U.S. Marshals
This federal agency is responsible for locating and apprehending fugitives across state lines.
Crime Stoppers
This organization facilitates anonymous tips from the public to assist law enforcement agencies.
Des Moines Police Department
The local agency responsible for investigating the homicide and coordinating the suspect's extradition.
The details
Investigators identified Gerardo Garcia-Michel as the driver in the 1997 incident that claimed the life of Leslie Ruby outside her Des Moines home. Following the hit-and-run, the suspect fled the state and remained at large until a tip provided to Crime Stoppers led to his capture.
Timeline
Leslie Ruby was killed in a hit-and-run incident on September 29, 1997.
Police announced the arrest of the suspect on September 29, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows a documented trend where renewed public interest via media coverage helps resolve decades-old cold cases. Such arrests highlight how advancements in inter-agency cooperation can eventually lead to suspects being apprehended long after the original incident.
The arrest provides significant closure to a long-standing mystery in the Des Moines community. Residents may observe increased official activity as the Des Moines Police Department completes the extradition process for the suspect.
The takeaway
The successful identification of a long-term suspect proves that investigative persistence remains critical in cold case resolutions. Public tips continue to be a vital asset for law enforcement when seeking justice in older incidents.
Further reading
For more information on local investigations, visit the Crime — General section.
