Nearly 29 years after Leslie Ruby was killed by a hit‑and‑run driver outside his Des Moines home on September 29, 1997, police say a rerun of America's Most Wanted prompted a Crime Stoppers tip that led to an identification and arrest. Evidence originally tied a damaged, unplated sedan to then‑28‑year‑old Gerardo Garcia‑Michel, who fled the state and evaded capture for decades by altering his name and birth date. A tip on August 4, 2026, placed him in New Jersey; after coordination with local authorities and the U.S. Marshals Service, he was taken into custody. Des Moines Police announced the arrest on the 29th anniversary of Ruby's death.
Nearly 29 Years Later: America's Most Wanted Rerun Leads to Arrest in 1997 Des Moines Hit‑and‑Run
Image Credit: Des Moines Police Facebook
Nearly 29 years after a fatal hit‑and‑run outside his Des Moines home, investigators say a rerun of an old America's Most Wanted episode generated the tip that led to an arrest in the cold case.
What Happened
On September 29, 1997, 64‑year‑old Leslie Ruby was struck and killed by a hit‑and‑run driver on the east side of Des Moines after returning a lawnmower to his home. His wife, who heard the crash, was at his side during his final moments. The vehicle involved was recovered by police and showed extensive damage to the windshield and headlights but had no license plates, which limited witnesses' ability to identify it.
Investigation and Initial Leads
Evidence gathered by the Des Moines Police Department's Traffic Unit identified the driver as then‑28‑year‑old Gerardo Garcia‑Michel. Officers checked local dealerships and reviewed lists of similarly colored vehicles registered in Polk County to find a match. An officer eventually focused on a dark‑colored sedan with the described damage that investigators later tied to Garcia‑Michel, but by that time he had already fled the state and eluded capture.
How the Case Was Reopened
The case received national attention when America's Most Wanted profiled Ruby's death in 1998, but that initial broadcast did not yield the information needed to locate the suspect. Decades later, a viewer watching a rerun recognized his neighbor and submitted a tip to Crime Stoppers on August 4, 2026. Using photographs and follow‑up investigation, Des Moines detectives were able to confirm the identification.
Apprehension
Investigators located Garcia‑Michel in New Jersey and learned he had avoided detection for years by using slightly altered versions of his name and changing his date of birth. After coordination with New Jersey police and the U.S. Marshals Service, Garcia‑Michel was taken into custody. Des Moines Police announced the arrest on September 29, 2026 — the 29th anniversary of Ruby's death — and described him as a suspect in a vehicular homicide. The department did not release details about his current detention location or pending legal proceedings in that announcement.
Impact and Next Steps
Family members and community members who remembered Ruby were featured in renewed coverage, including a video with his granddaughter recalling him and the loss. The development highlights how media exposure and public tips can revive cold cases and lead to long‑awaited accountability. Detectives say the investigation and legal process will continue as prosecutors review the evidence.
Note: This report is based on information provided by Des Moines Police and public records related to the case.
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