Chelsea stabbing suspect tracked to Connecticut; key clue was a Facebook friend request he made

Chelsea and State Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney's office announced today they've arrested Juan Santana-Ruiz, 40, of Everett, on charges he knifed a teenager at a Chelsea restaurant last month.

Santana-Ruiz was arrested in the Hartford area on April 3 and returned to Massachusetts on Friday, authorities say.

According to police and the DA, detectives learned pretty quickly how the 17-year-old died: He and an older man got into an argument at Plaza Mexico around 9 p.m. on March 22, the older man was kicked out, then he rushed back in and stabbed the teen in the stomach as he was leaving with family members.

But while numerous witnesses identified the stabber as a repeat visitor to the restaurant, who went by "Carrerra," nobody knew his real name or address.

In the course of the investigation, however, Chelsea detectives obtained information – including a Facebook “friend” request provided by one witness – that led to his identification. A corresponding Registry of Motor Vehicles photograph depicted the suspect in the surveillance footage, authorities said.

Armed with his name and photograph, Chelsea Police obtained a warrant for Santana-Ruiz’ arrest and attempted to place him under at his Everett home, only to find that he had already fled the area. On April 3, after continued investigation into Santana-Ruiz’ whereabouts, Massachusetts and Connecticut state police took Santana-Ruiz into custody in Connecticut.

Innocent, etc.