Antonio Riaño, also known as "El Diablo" (the Devil in Spanish), evaded capture for two decades after fatally shooting Benjamin, a 25-year-old man, outside a bar in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2004. Surveillance footage captured the incident, showing Riaño pulling out a gun and shooting Benjamin in the face before fleeing the scene.
Despite an extensive manhunt, authorities were unable to locate Riaño, who seemingly vanished into thin air. His last known location was his sister's residence in New Jersey. Although the search intensified for a few years, it eventually dwindled, leaving Riaño's name on the list of America's most wanted criminals.
Twenty years later, a former investigator on the case, Paul Newton, stumbled upon a shocking discovery while browsing Facebook. He recognized Riaño in a photo, now working as a police officer in Mexico. Newton, who vividly remembered the case, was astounded to see the fugitive hiding in plain sight.
U.S. authorities contacted their Mexican counterparts, confirming Riaño's employment at the Zapotitlán Palmas police station. Mexico agreed to extradite Riaño, who was subsequently transported back to Ohio to face murder charges, potentially carrying a life sentence.
Despite the video evidence against him, Riaño maintains his innocence. However, prosecutors are confident in their case, stating they don't require a confession to proceed. The police have compiled substantial evidence, and their primary objective was to apprehend Riaño.
When questioned about his decision to become a police officer in Mexico, the 72-year-old Riaño claimed he wanted to "help the people of Mexico," a response met with skepticism. His ability to conceal his criminal past by working in law enforcement is a testament to his cunning and audacity.
This extraordinary case highlights the power of social media in aiding law enforcement and the lengths some individuals will go to evade justice. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of international cooperation in apprehending fugitives and the potential for individuals to exploit positions of trust to conceal their true identities.
From : https://www.sanook.com/news/9513154/