PHOENIX — You can run but you cannot hide. It's a phrase you've likely heard before. It's one that is ringing true for the U.S. Marshals for the District of Arizona, who successfully arrested and extradited three accused criminals from Mexico back to Arizona to face a judge.
"We know that we're not going to be able to repair the harm that was done. We're not going to be able to take away all their pain or all the trauma that is associated with whatever the crime was, but at least we can provide some level of closure or some support back to the victims and their families, and that's important," Van Bayless, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona said.
61-year-old Randall Arrington had been wanted by Gilbert Police for multiple weeks after prosecutors say he was released on bond, cut off his ankle monitor, sold his house, and fled with the cash to Mexico. At the time, Arrington was awaiting trial on nearly a dozen counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
On November 14, court documents say the Marshals, with the help of local police in Mexico, took Arrington into custody near Rocky Point. At the time of his arrest, Arrington had $350,000 in cash on him.
“The second they eyeballed the badge, or they realize law enforcement knew who they were, the eyes go big, and they're kind of shocked, you know, 'how did that happen?'," Bayless said of the reaction fugitives have at the time of arrest.
Over the weekend, the Marshals were also able to bring two fugitives wanted in cold-case homicides back to the Grand Canyon state. Local and federal law enforcement officials have been trying to arrest and extradite Hector Bautista, 42, since 2003. He is accused of trying to rob Anton Matous before shooting and killing him, and then fleeing the country after the crime.
32-year-old Jose Juan Vergara Ortiz was arrested Friday by Tempe Police and the U.S. Marshals Service for the 2008 murder of David Lopez, 20. He has been arrested on charges of murder and robbery.
"We've had cases that sometimes take years to work through the process after we've successfully located somebody working with partner agencies that are in that country of where the fugitive is," Bayless said.
Similarly to the U.S. court system, a fugitive in Mexico must go before a judge there before law enforcement in the country can hand them over to the Marshals. Before that can happen, Bayless says they use a vast network of resources all across the globe to gather intel on where fugitives may be living.
"We have deputy United States Marshals that are fugitive hunters, that are great investigators, and they establish relationships, whether it's in Mexico or it's in Canada or it's in Europe or it's in Asia," Bayless said. "In Arizona, they put hundreds, if not thousands of hours into these cases, working them to where it satisfies the courts or law enforcement of foreign government."
No matter how long any single case may take during the extradition process, Bayless warns fleeing the country to escape justice is not all it's cracked up to be. If you do, he says the fugitive hunters may soon be on your tail.
"There's no benefit because the day is still coming. It's maybe the hope of being able to get away, but it just simply does not happen," he said.
Watch 12News for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app!
The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12+ app to add to your account, or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.