‘Most wanted’ murder suspect is found working as a cop after spending 20 years on the run
Topics: Crime, World News, Mexico
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: Butler County Jail/NBC News
Topics: Crime, World News, Mexico
A man who featured on TV show America’s Most Wanted was hiding out for around 20 years in the most surprising profession.
Antonio ‘El Diablo’ Riano, 62, has pleaded not guilty Butler County Court earlier this month after finally being arrested after being on the run for decades.
Riano had featured on TV show America’s Most Wanted in 2005 for his alleged involvement in a shooting outside a bar in Ohio back in December 2004.
An incident resulted in the death of 25-year-old Benjamin Becarra and the victim’s body was found shot in the face outside Roadhouse Bar in Hamilton, Ohio.
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Following his arrest on August 1, Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Oster Jr. ordered no bond for Riano meaning he will remain at Butler County Jail.
The Mexican national was located by authorities in his hometown of Zapotitlán Palmas, State of Oaxaca, Mexico. It was here that investigators discovered he was working as a local cop.
A move that can be considered well thought out and meticulous or brazen and bold given the circumstances.
In 2004, Riano was previously involved in a brawl at the bar the shooting occurred, according to an interview by the prosecutor’s chief investigator, Paul Newton.
According to Newton, Riano then returned to the bar on December 19 and was asked to leave by the bartender, an order he refused.
An argument quickly arose between Riano and Becerra and the bartender told the pair to take it outside. Not moments later, Becerra was shot in the face and found lying face down as Riano had fled the scene.
Police were able to identify Riano from surveillance camera footage at the bar as well as witness testimony.
The gun used in the shooting was found 10 days later, hidden in a secret compartment under the kitchen floor in Riano’s Hamilton home.
On February 16, 2005, Riano was expected to appear for his scheduled arraignment after being indicted on first-degree murder but he never showed.
The manhunt for the suspect then began.
Following the arrest of Riano, Michael T. Gmoser, Butler County Prosecutor praised the officers and investigators involved for capturing the fugitive.
He said: “This type of apprehension would not be possible without the cooperation and due diligence of both the Prosecutor’s Office investigators, the United States Marshal Service, and the United States Department of Justice."
Riano is due back in court later this month.