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Gallup Sun

Thursday, Mar 28th

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Good timing help police net dangerous fugitive

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Gallup Police Department experienced a stroke of luck in catching an alleged dangerous rapist and murderer that was recently passing through the area.

Jeffrey Olivarez is wanted for the murder and rape of Jessica E. Blansett.

GPD Detective Charles Wommack said on Oct. 2 he received a call from Ford County, KS officials about Olivarez possibly being in the area, at a local scrapyard.

Wommack said he and Det. Mark Spencer followed a hunch and found Olivarez at All City Recycling. He was working there for the day to pay for some repairs done to his vehicle.

Wommack said Olivarez had also tried to sell the vehicle, but was unsuccessful.

He was arrested without incident Oct. 3, for a local traffic warrant, plus the $250,000 warrant for first degree murder. In a twist of irony, at the time of his arrest, he wore a hat that said “police.”

“I am glad that we caught up with him,” Wommack said.

Wommack also said Olivarez is the third individual charged with a connection to this crime.