Elias Burgos Sought In Connection For The Juanita J. Zdroik's 2000 Homicide

Burgos who is wanted in connection with Zdroik's homicide remains at large and believed to be hiding in Puerto Rico, second suspect Miguel A. Cruz was taken into custody in Tampa in connection with the 17 year cold case.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 11, 2017

Racine, WI - On Monday, the Racine County Sheriff's Office announced that Miguel Angel Cruz, 39, was taken into custody on August 28 in Tampa, Florida and is awaiting extradition to Wisconsin in connection with the 2000 cold case homicide of Juanita J. Zdroik, 39, of Milwaukee. The second wanted murder suspect, Elias Burgos, 36, remains at large and a felony warrant has been issued for his arrest, which authorities believe is hiding somewhere in Puerto Rico.

Zdroik's body was found on February 7, 2000 alongside the shoulder of Highway K near the Town of Raymond. According to the Racine County Medical Examiner's office, Zdroik had been shot in the head and showed signs that she had been tortured for at least a month before being killed by the suspects.

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling during a press conference stated that Zdroik's homicide was connected to a double homicide in February 7, 2000 in Milwaukee and Milwaukee authorities in January 2017 contacted the Racine County Sheriff's office with information connecting Zdroik's 17 year cold case to the murders in Milwaukee.

A criminal complaint for 1st-degree intentional homicide was filed on August 21, identifying Cruz as a murder suspect. A criminal complaint for 1st-degree intentional homicide was also filed and a felony warrant was issued on August 23 for Burgos. If convicted for Zdroik's homicide, both Cruz and Burgos are facing life in prison without parole.