A man wanted in Utah for aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault was apprehended last month in Cook County, Illinois, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said John Banuelos, 40, of Summit, Illinois, was apprehended on Oct. 17 after deputies and US Marshals tracked him down to a fast-food restaurant near 29th Street and Cicero Avenue. The arrest stemmed from a Salt Lake County warrant issued on October 1 for the alleged crimes.
According to the sheriff’s office, officers observed Banuelos entering the restaurant before exiting and getting into a rideshare vehicle. Deputies pulled over the car, identified Banuelos, and hauled him into custody without incident. The driver, who was confirmed to be a ridesharing worker, was released on the scene.
Officials claimed Banuelos had previously been charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the United States Capitol, but that case was dismissed in early 2023 when several suspects were pardoned by the president.
Banuelos is still being held at Cook County Jail pending extradition to Utah, where prosecutors are likely to pursue the most recent allegations. Authorities remind the public that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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