The FBI on Tuesday drastically increased the reward for information leading to the capture of a fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list accused of fatally shooting a man at a Sylmar shopping center in 2019.
“Today’s announcement by the FBI to increase the award for information leading to his arrest is a critical step forward,” McDonnell said during the briefing. “We believe that someone knows Omar Cardenas' whereabouts, and we're urging anyone with information to please come forward.”
“Our mission is clear: to locate and apprehend Cardenas and bring justice for the Dumas family,” the chief added.
Cardenas is accused of firing several rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at the victim, striking him in the head in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles, ultimately leading to his death.
At that time, authorities said Cardenas was wanted for his alleged role in the murder on Aug. 15, 2019, and identified him as a Pierce Street Gang member who may associate with the Pacoima Van Nuys Boys/Anybody Killas.
On May 25, 2023, the FBI increased the standard reward for information leading directly to the arrest of any Ten Most Wanted fugitive from up to $100,000 to up to $250,000, which also applied to Cardenas.
The latest move pushes the reward specifically for Cardenas far higher, four times more than the standard reward.
Authorities describe Cardenas as between 5 feet 6 and 5 feet 7, weighing about 240 to 300 pounds, with dark brown or black hair, a beard, and brown eyes. He has at least one tattoo and typically wears thick prescription glasses.
The FBI is urging anyone with information about Cardenas to contact authorities through several channels. Members of the public can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov, contact their local FBI office, or reach out to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The intensified search for Cardenas comes as federal officials point to a run of recent captures involving the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Wedding, 44, is accused of operating a large cocaine trafficking network and being involved in several murders, and was believed to have been hiding in Mexico for more than a decade while allegedly helping to run a transnational drug operation tied to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Patel at the time called the arrest “a huge day for a safer North America, and the world, and a message that those who break our laws and harm our citizens will be brought to justice.”