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Man sought by FBI in killing of pregnant girlfriend is caught at Mexican border

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Deirdre Fike, left, with L.A. Police Cmdr. Todd Chamberlain, second from left, confirm Philip Patrick Policarpio was added to the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list on May 19. Policarpio was arrested 10 days later at the Mexican border.
(Nick Ut / Associated Press)
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A man on the FBI’s most-wanted list for allegedly killing his pregnant girlfriend during a card game earlier this year was arrested Sunday at the Mexican border, the FBI said.

Philip Patrick Policarpio had been on the run since April when his girlfriend was discovered dead, according to the FBI. Policarpio, 39, was charged with first-degree murder on April 22 in Los Angeles, and authorities issued local, state and federal warrants for his arrest.

The FBI said he was caught by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the San Ysidro point of entry as he crossed into the U.S. from Tijuana.

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According to authorities, Policarpio and his live-in girlfriend, Lauren Elaine Olguin, attended an April 12 gathering at a friend’s home in the 500 block of North Virgil Avenue in East Hollywood.

He stormed into a room where Olguin, 32, was playing cards and became angry, officials said.

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Policarpio started beating her on the head with his fists, according to a U.S. District Court criminal complaint. He then pulled out a handgun and shot Olguin once in the forehead, authorities said, killing her. She was pregnant.

Witnesses told investigators that Policarpio dropped the gun, then retrieved it again and fled. Based on cellphone records, authorities think he was selling narcotics after the shooting and may have fled to Las Vegas, according to the complaint.

The Homicide Report: A story for every victim >>

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At the time of Olguin’s death, Policarpio was on parole for multiple counts of attempted murder stemming from a 2000 case in Burbank.

In that case, he fired multiple rounds at an occupied vehicle. A woman was shot in the head and survived. A man was struck by gunfire in the shoulder and also survived.

Authorities were offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

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