HOUSTON-The Harris County Jail is probably not what Luis Alberto Galvan and Epifanio Arroyo had in mind when they were making New Year's Eve plans, but that's exactly what they got when Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos' Cold Case Fugitive Apprehension Section caught up with them in late December. Both Galvan and Arroyo were booked into jail Dec. 30. Each are wanted for murders they committed 32 years ago.

Immigration & Customs Enforcement officials apprehended Galvan in Maverick County trying to cross the Mexican border. He is charged with murdering his employer over payment for a construction job.

The DA's office tracked Galvan using information from the original cold case file - a possible name with an alias date of birth along with a photo and fingerprints. After much investigative work, a positive match was made and a warrant was issued.

The DA's office received information that Galvan was living in Mexico, but was believed to be traveling to San Antonio to visit his son. A photo from lane crossing cameras at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry confirmed the fugitive was traveling across the border and a lookout was initiated. Galvan was apprehended entering Eagle Pass and booked into the Maverick County Jail.

Arroyo was arrested in Gwinnett County, Ga. He beat and stabbed his victim after a fight in a north Houston club and successfully eluded authorities for more than three decades, but DA Investigator Chuck Lowery refused to give up on his capture.

Lowery researched several law enforcement databases and public records, trying to find Arroyo and witnesses to the murder. Lowery's tenacity paid off, and he found the fugitive in Georgia.

With the assistance of the Houston Police Department and Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, Arroyo was arrested and returned to the Harris County Jail.

CCFA has resolved 105 cases since the section was formed in 2009 - 70 of them in 2011 - including 25 defendants arrested and returned to Harris County on murder and capital murder warrants.

Lykos credits the hard work of CCFA Investigator Lowery and Extradition Administrator Kim Bryant for the successful return of the dangerous felons.

"They are the dynamic duo," she stated. "They closed out the year by closing in on even more bad guys. What a remarkable achievement."

The Cold Case Fugitive Apprehension Section was implemented by DA Lykos when she took office in January 2009. The section's goal is to capture criminals who have avoided justice - some since the 1970's - by actively searching for them and aiding other law enforcement agencies with support and information. For years, fugitives accused of violent crimes were not actively sought by the office; prosecutors relied solely on law enforcement to locate and arrest fugitive felons.