Zhang, 43, was wanted by the police for the murder case of two women and kidnapping of another one named Ran in June 1996.
The two victims were the mother and sister of Ran's husband and were stabbed to death when they confronted Zhang to thwart the kidnapping bid.
The police said Zhang, who was a farmer in Yangou Town, Yuanping City at the time of the crime, fled after killing the women.
The police are securing more evidence to support their case, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.