By Elizabeth Ruiz
After being on the run for nearly 16 years, Texas prison escapee Juan Salaz has been captured in Mexico.
Jason Clark with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice says the 37-year-old fugitive escaped in
1997 from the Garza East unit in Beeville.
"He climbed over three 16-foot razor wire security fences and fled to Mexico," said Clark.
He was serving three concurrent 35-year sentences for two counts of attempted capital murder of a police officer in Houston and aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon.
Investigators say in April of 1995, Salaz and a co-defendant kidnapped a Hispanic male at gunpoint and demanded a ransom.
The Houston Police Department arranged for the ransom and victim exchange, and when the victim was released, undercover officers identified themselves and were in the process of making the arrests when Salaz and his co-defendant opened fire.
Two officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They returned fire and Salaz was seriously wounded.
He recovered and pleaded guilty.
Clark says law enforcement officers never gave up in their search for Salaz, who was living a new life in Mexico.
"He had people who were helping him in Mexico, people who were helping him hide. Ultimately, confidential sources pinpointed his location," said Clark.
Salaz was captured January 30th in Mexico, but officials wouldn't give details on his exact location. Clark says Salaz will be extradited to Texas where he'll continue serving his 35-year-sentence, but in addition, he's now facing a felony escape charge.
After being on the run for nearly 16 years, Texas prison escapee Juan Salaz has been captured in Mexico.
Jason Clark with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice says the 37-year-old fugitive escaped in
1997 from the Garza East unit in Beeville."He climbed over three 16-foot razor wire security fences and fled to Mexico," said Clark.
He was serving three concurrent 35-year sentences for two counts of attempted capital murder of a police officer in Houston and aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon.
Investigators say in April of 1995, Salaz and a co-defendant kidnapped a Hispanic male at gunpoint and demanded a ransom.
The Houston Police Department arranged for the ransom and victim exchange, and when the victim was released, undercover officers identified themselves and were in the process of making the arrests when Salaz and his co-defendant opened fire.
Two officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They returned fire and Salaz was seriously wounded.
He recovered and pleaded guilty.
Clark says law enforcement officers never gave up in their search for Salaz, who was living a new life in Mexico.
"He had people who were helping him in Mexico, people who were helping him hide. Ultimately, confidential sources pinpointed his location," said Clark.
Salaz was captured January 30th in Mexico, but officials wouldn't give details on his exact location. Clark says Salaz will be extradited to Texas where he'll continue serving his 35-year-sentence, but in addition, he's now facing a felony escape charge.
photos courtesy queenscrap.blogspot.com & kristv.com
