California murder suspect captured in Lawton

Lawton police and the U.S. Marshal Task Force joined forces Wednesday to arrest a man accused of committing a homicide in California.

Lawton police attempted a traffic stop around 10:45 a.m. on a vehicle identified as being connected to a homicide out of Riverside County, Calif., according to Lt. Charles Whittington, Lawton Police information officer.

Following an hours-long standoff with the LPD SWAT Team, U.S. Marshal Andy Moon and the U.S. Marshal Task Force, the suspect, Daniel Cristoval Ambriz, was arrested without violence outside a home in the area of Northwest 17th Street and Elm Avenue.

Ambriz, 26, of Perris, Calif., was arrested and booked into the Comanche County Detention Center for flight to avoid arrest, according to jail records.

According to the Riverside County, Calif. Sheriff’s Office, Ambriz has been charged in that county with murder, aggravated kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm and numerous enhancements associated with the murder of Jose Eduardo Del Real, also of Perris, Calif.

Ambriz is accused of a shooting Del Real on Aug. 12 during a car jacking.

What Ambriz was doing in Lawton is a mystery, according to Whittington.

“I don’t know why he would be coming to Lawton,” he said.

Whittington said that despite the potential danger from Ambriz, throughout the operation, the safety of all involved, officers, the suspect and the community; remained a top priority.

“We would like to extend a special thanks to Kirk’s EMS and the Lawton Fire Department for their invaluable assistance to other first responders during this operation, especially given the high heat conditions,” he said. “Their support ensured the well-being of everyone involved.”