$1 Million Reward Fuels Search for FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Omar Alexander Cardenas
Years-Long Search for California Murder Suspect
Omar Alexander Cardenas is wanted for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a man in Sylmar, California, in August 2019. The investigation has developed into a years-long fugitive search involving local and federal authorities, and Cardenas was eventually placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Cardenas’ arrest. Authorities continue seeking information from anyone who may know where he has lived, worked, traveled, or maintained personal connections since the homicide.
Cardenas is wanted on a California murder charge as well as a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. The criminal charges against Cardenas remain allegations unless and until proven in court.
Fatal Shooting at Sylmar Shopping Center
The case began on August 15, 2019, when a man was fatally shot at a large outdoor shopping center in Sylmar, a community immediately north of Los Angeles. According to the FBI, Cardenas allegedly fired several rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at the victim.
The gunfire struck the victim in the head and caused his death. The shooting led to a homicide investigation as authorities worked to identify the person responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Investigators ultimately identified Cardenas as the suspect in the killing. His alleged use of a firearm and subsequent disappearance eventually resulted in a search that expanded beyond the original local homicide investigation.
Los Angeles County Murder Charge
On April 3, 2020, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County issued a local arrest warrant for Cardenas after he was charged with murder. The warrant authorized authorities to take him into custody so he could face the charge in California.
By that point, however, investigators had been unable to locate Cardenas. His continued absence became a central part of the investigation as law-enforcement agencies sought information about where he might have gone following the shooting.
The murder charge remains pending while Cardenas is a fugitive. He has not been convicted of the charge, and the allegations would need to be resolved through the judicial process following his apprehension.
Federal Authorities Join the Search
As the effort to locate Cardenas continued, the case developed into a federal fugitive investigation. Federal authorities can become involved when a person accused of a state crime is believed to have fled to avoid arrest or prosecution.
On September 2, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a federal arrest warrant for Cardenas. He was federally charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
The federal warrant gave investigators another mechanism for pursuing Cardenas beyond the original California murder case. The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office became directly involved in efforts to locate and apprehend him.
Added to FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List
On July 20, 2022, the FBI added Cardenas to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He became the 528th fugitive placed on the list since the program was established in 1950.
Placement on the Ten Most Wanted list significantly increased public attention surrounding the investigation. The program is generally used for fugitives accused of serious crimes whose apprehension may be aided by widespread public awareness.
The FBI has continued distributing Cardenas’ photograph, physical description, identifying characteristics, and information concerning the homicide in an effort to generate new leads. Because several years have passed since his disappearance, investigators must also account for the possibility that his appearance has changed.
FBI Description of Omar Alexander Cardenas
According to the FBI, Cardenas was born on March 23, 1995, in California. He is described as a Hispanic male with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
The Bureau lists his height as approximately 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches. His weight has been listed between approximately 240 and 300 pounds, meaning his physical appearance could vary considerably depending on changes in weight.
Cardenas often has a beard and is known to wear prescription glasses. These characteristics may have changed during his time as a fugitive, and investigators have released photographs and identifying information intended to help the public recognize him.
Known by the Moniker “Dollar”
The FBI identifies “Dollar” as a moniker associated with Cardenas. Nicknames and other identifying names can be important in fugitive investigations because an individual attempting to avoid authorities may not always use a full legal name when interacting with others.
Individuals who have encountered someone known as “Dollar” who resembles Cardenas could potentially possess information relevant to investigators. Authorities may also be interested in other names, telephone numbers, online accounts, addresses, or identifying information connected with him.
Even information that appears outdated could potentially help investigators establish a timeline of Cardenas’ movements or identify people with whom he maintained contact after becoming a fugitive.
Employment and Construction Experience
The FBI has reported that Cardenas has experience working in construction. Employment history can become an important component of a long-term fugitive investigation because individuals who remain missing for extended periods may seek work in industries where they already possess experience.
Former employers, coworkers, contractors, or others who believe they encountered Cardenas after the homicide may have information useful to authorities. Investigators may be interested in employment locations, temporary jobs, residences, vehicles, or associates connected with those encounters.
Because Cardenas has remained missing for years, seemingly minor historical information could potentially help investigators connect different locations or periods of activity.
Possible Connections Outside Los Angeles
The search for Cardenas has extended beyond the immediate Sylmar area. Authorities have investigated his connections in California and the possibility that he traveled elsewhere after becoming wanted.
Information concerning travel outside California could be especially important in determining how Cardenas avoided apprehension. Investigators may be interested in individuals who provided transportation, housing, employment, financial assistance, or other forms of support.
The FBI has also previously investigated the possibility of connections to Mexico. Fugitive investigations involving potential international travel can become considerably more complex because authorities must determine whether the individual remains in the United States or has crossed an international border.
Appearance May Have Changed
One of the challenges facing investigators is the amount of time that has passed since the August 2019 homicide. Cardenas was in his twenties when the shooting occurred, and several years as a fugitive could result in significant changes to his appearance.
His weight could be different from the range originally provided by investigators. He could also change his beard, hairstyle, glasses, or other recognizable characteristics.
For this reason, individuals reviewing the FBI’s photographs should also consider his broader physical description and identifying information. Recognition based on facial structure, voice, mannerisms, tattoos or other characteristics can sometimes remain useful even when a fugitive changes grooming or clothing.
FBI Warns Cardenas Is Armed and Dangerous
The FBI warns that Cardenas should be considered armed and dangerous. The warning is particularly significant because the underlying murder allegation involves the use of a semi-automatic handgun in a fatal shooting.
Anyone who believes they have encountered Cardenas should not approach, confront, follow, detain, or attempt to apprehend him. Doing so could create a serious risk to the individual and others nearby.
Instead, possible sightings should be reported directly to law enforcement. Information concerning a location, vehicle, residence, workplace, associate, or other identifying detail can be provided to investigators, who can determine the appropriate response.
Investigators Seek Information About His Movements
Authorities remain interested not only in Cardenas’ current location but also in information that could help reconstruct his movements since the homicide. Someone who encountered him months or even years ago may still possess information capable of advancing the investigation.
Former friends, relatives, neighbors, employers, coworkers, or acquaintances may know about locations where Cardenas stayed or people with whom he maintained contact. Information concerning vehicles, telephone numbers, social media accounts, financial activity, or travel could also potentially assist investigators.
A historical sighting could establish that Cardenas was in a particular city or country at a specific time, allowing investigators to focus on additional people or records associated with that location.
$1 Million FBI Reward
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of Omar Alexander Cardenas. The substantial reward reflects the continuing effort to locate a fugitive accused of murder who has remained outside law-enforcement custody for years.
Anyone with information concerning Cardenas can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Tips may also be submitted through the FBI’s official online reporting system.
Individuals outside the United States can provide information through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Information should be provided directly to authorities rather than shared publicly if doing so could interfere with the investigation or alert the fugitive.
Continuing Search for Omar Alexander Cardenas
Years after the Sylmar shooting, Cardenas remains the subject of an active federal fugitive investigation. His placement on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and the reward offered for information are intended to generate leads from people who may recognize him or know something about his whereabouts.
The passage of time does not necessarily make older information irrelevant. Details concerning where Cardenas lived, worked, traveled, or maintained relationships after August 2019 could help authorities establish a chain of movements leading closer to his present location.
Anyone who believes they have credible information concerning Omar Alexander Cardenas should report it directly to law enforcement and should not attempt to apprehend him.
