A former state man wanted on strangulation charges here was picked up in Florida Monday.
Police had been looking for Oscar Canuelas, 29, since Sept.12, 2011, when he allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend at her Dogwood apartment on Evergreen Avenue, according to police.
That day Hamden Police got a report of a woman screaming for help in the area of 200 Evergreen Ave., which is the address of the Dogwood, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.
Responding officers found the 29-year-old woman in her car, which was parked in the complex's parking lot, Smith said.
The investigation, led by Officer Eric Hallstrom, "revealed that her ex-boyfriend, Oscar Canuelas, had allegedly forced entry into her apartment, pushed her to the ground and strangled her," Smith said. "In addition, her ex-boyfriend allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at her head. Canuelas subsequently fled prior to the arrival of police."
In October 2011 the courts approved an application for a warrant for Canuelas' arrest, Smith said, but police could not locate him. With assistance from the U.S. Marshal Service, he was finally found to be living in Florida under a false name, Smith said.
"On April 9th the United States Marshal Service in Florida arrested Canuelas," Smith said. "He is currently being held in Dade County on the charge of Fugitive From Justice. He will be transported to Hamden Police Headquarters if he waives extradition."
Canuelas is wanted in Hamden for strangulation, criminal possession of a pistol, possessing a handgun, reckless endangerment, threatening, larceny by possession and disorderly conduct, Smith said.
