A man wanted for a homicide and an attempted homicide in San Francisco was arrested in Ogden Wednesday.
San Francisco police had been looking for Diante Johnson, 21, since Aug. 27, when he allegedly killed one man and seriously injured another, said Michael Wingert, supervisory deputy U.S. marshal.
An anonymous source tipped police that Johnson was hiding out in Ogden, despite having no known family or friends in the area.
While out searching the downtown Ogden area, police recognized Johnson and called for backup. Johnson was arrested with another man around 20th Street and Grant Avenue.
"His criminal history in California is very extensive," Wingert said. "A total of seven felony convictions, including four arrests for assault, burglary and six weapon arrests. Keep in mind he's 21, and these are only arrests that have occurred since he was 18."
While on parole in California, Johnson allegedly got into a verbal fight on Aug. 27 over rims on a car, and as the two victims drove away, Johnson shot at them with a .45-caliber handgun. He was formerly in prison for carrying a prohibited weapon, Wingert said.
Police believe he was in Ogden because of Mario Hackett, who was arrested with him on Wednesday. Hackett, 21, was on state felony probation for distribution of dangerous drugs. The Ogden resident was booked into custody on a 72-hour hold until police decide whether to send him to prison or not, since he was in violation of his parole to be at the Halfway House in Ogden.
Hackett has ties to the Oakland, Calif., area and may know Johnson from there, Wingert said.
Police say Johnson lied about his name, but a fingerprint ID test identified him. He was not carrying the murder weapon, which has yet to be recovered. The confidential source only knew Johnson would be in the Ogden area, and police set up surveillance to look for him. The Joint Criminal Apprehension Task Force, a group of officers comprised of local, state and federal police agencies, assisted the U.S. Marshal's Office in arresting Johnson.
"It's a nice summer day. We were banking on the fact this guy wouldn't be hanging out at home," Wingert said. "We were hoping he would be out and about, and he was."
Johnson was arrested and placed into custody at Weber County Jail. Wingert said Johnson will go to local hearings until San Francisco police secure a governor's warrant to ship him back to California.
e-mail: lgroves@desnews.com