On the evening of June 13, 2014, the Champaign Police Department continued to follow up on investigative leads and received information that the victim, MONICA RAMIREZ, and suspect, EDUARDO GUERRO CORTEZ, were possibly in Houston, Texas. Champaign Police detectives were able to coordinate investigative efforts with the Champaign and Houston FBI Offices, Homeland Security, and the Houston Police Department, which ultimately led to the arrest of EDUARDO GUERRO CORTEZ and securing the safety of the victim at approximately 2:30 a.m. in Houston, Texas. The 2002 red Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was also located with stolen Missouri license plates on it.
At this time Cortez is being held in Texas on a Champaign County arrest warrant for aggravated battery with a bond of one million dollars. The victim is receiving a medical evaluation and is being sheltered.
The success experienced to date in this investigation is the result of collaborative efforts among the Champaign Police, the FBI in both Champaign and Houston, and Homeland Security. The department also wants to thank the citizens of Champaign who provided the police with valuable leads and the local media for assisting us with getting out timely information to the public.
This investigation is continuing, and Champaign Police and the FBI are still looking for the second suspect who may be armed with a knife. He is being described as a Hispanic male with short hair who was last seen wearing a red shirt with blue shorts.
If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call the Champaign Police at (217) 351-4545 or Crime Stoppers at (217) 373-8477. Callers can also submit anonymous tips online to Crime Stoppers at www.373tips.com or by texting the following: CCTIP plus the information to 274637 (CRIMES). Crime Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the persons responsible for this crime.