Houston Police Department

June 12, 2006 -- One of the most wanted suspects in Houston and New Orleans has been arrested, four months after being charged in the fatal shooting of a man and the wounding of another at 8080 Creek Bend about 2:50 p.m. on February 6.

Ricardo J. Irvin (b/m, DOB 9-18-87) was one of two suspects charged on February 11 with capital murder in the 178th State District Court in the killing of Gregory Sartain, 19, of 8080 Creek Bend #201. Sartain suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim, Bennie Curtis, 25, was also shot and transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

Irvin is also charged in a murder in New Iberia, Louisiana.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants B. Harris, T. Ruland and Officer T.J. McCorvey
reported:

The two victims were involved in an altercation with two black male suspects at an area nightclub. The suspects followed Sartain and Curtis back to their apartment and attempted to rob them. During the robbery, the suspects fatally shot Sartain and left Curtis for dead after wounding him. Sartain was the son of a New Orleans homicide detective. Investigators identified Irvin and Richard Foster (b/m, DOB 11-23-88) as the suspects in this case. Foster was arrested in New Orleans on May 15.

Irvin was selected as one of the Houston area's most wanted criminals when he was among suspects whose names and photos were plastered on billboards throughout the city last month in the "Cash for Crooks" campaign. Following a Crime Stoppers tip, Irvin was arrested on June 6 by officers with the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, SWAT team. He was inside his girlfriend's home and was taken into custody without incident. Houston police homicide investigators traveled to New Iberia and interviewed Irvin who confessed to his role in the Houston and New Iberia homicides. He said he saw his picture on a "Cash for Crooks" billboard (I-45 North at Research Drive) and that is why he fled and hid out in Baton Rouge. Irvin stated he got tired of running from the law. Suspect Irvin's photo is available by clicking on the "Cash for Crooks" link on the HPD Web site at www.houstonpolice.org.

Update JFC/BH 6-12-06
MES/RMM 2-7-06
Inc #020627306

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.