LA cop shooting suspect nabbed in Mexico

LOS ANGELES, July 19 (UPI) -- Mexican police and the FBI say they have apprehended an alleged gang member wanted for shooting a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.

Emigdio Preciado Jr., 39, also known as "Trigger" and "Snyper," stands accused of the Sept. 5, 2000, shooting of Deputy Michael Schaap, who was critically injured when Preciado allegedly fired 21 bullets through the door of a van in which he was riding. An FBI spokesman said Preciado was apprehended Friday night in Mexico by Mexican police and FBI agents, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Schaap eventually recovered from his wounds and returned to duty, the newspaper said. He expressed anger two years ago when a video surfaced of Preciado smiling and dancing at a holiday festival in Tepuzhuacan, Mexico. "I just want my day of justice when Emigdio Preciado is sentenced to life behind bars," he said at the time.

The FBI responded by placing Preciado on its Top 10 Most Wanted list and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors offered a $50,000 reward for his capture, the Times said.