Fugitive Nabbed On Kidnap, Sex Assault Charges Was Accused Of Firing Gun At Capitol Riot

SUMMIT, IL — A Summit man, who was once accused of firing a gun during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, was taken into custody last month after he was wanted for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in Utah.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff in Utah issued an arrest warrant last month for John Banuelos, 40. The Cook County Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit worked with the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, after receiving a tip that Banuelos may be in the Chicago area.

Surveillance was set up Oct. 17 near 26th Street and Cicero Avenue, where Banuelos was allegedly last seen. Officers spotted a man fitting the 40-year-old’s description, going into a fast food restaurant in the 2900 block of South Cicero Avenue, law enforcement officials said.

The same man was observed leaving the restaurant and getting into the back seat of a vehicle that had just pulled into the parking lot. Officers swarmed the vehicle, where they said the passenger was positively identified as Banuelos. The driver, who was working for a rideshare company, was able to leave the scene.

Banuelos was charged last year for the Jan. 6, 2021, shooting at the U.S. Capitol that had no reported injuries. The case was dismissed in January, following President Trump’s order pardoning those charged in the riot. Banuelos remains in custody at Cook County Jail.