MARSHALS TASK FORCE LOCATES AMERICA’S MOST WANTED FUGITIVE IN MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA

 On Pennsylvania State Police Ten Most Wanted List

SCRANTON, Pa. – U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today the arrest of John Caro in Medellin, Colombia. Caro was being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force for the attempted murder of a female in late December 2006.

Caro, 29, was taken into custody Monday in Medellin. He was apprehended based upon a provisional arrest warrant that seeks his extradition to the United States. Acting on information provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Colombian law enforcement officials located the fugitive at an undisclosed location in Medellin, where he was arrested on charges from Lackawanna County. Caro had been on the run from law enforcement for more than six years.

On Dec. 31, 2006, the Pennsylvania State Police responded to investigate a shooting incident in Lackawanna County. State Police learned an individual, later identified as Caro, got into an argument with a female at the Planet Pocono Gentlemen’s Club in White Haven. The victim and two others left the establishment in White Haven, followed by Caro. After traveling northbound on Interstate 81 for a lengthy period of time, it is alleged that Caro pulled up alongside the victim’s vehicle and fired a shot at her from his moving vehicle. The victim was struck in the face and neck area. Caro continued traveling northbound on Interstate 81. The victim was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

On Jan. 3, 2007, an arrest warrant was issued by Magisterial District Judge Laura M. Turlip in Archbald, charging Caro with:

·         Criminal Attempt Homicide

·         Aggravated Assault

·         Recklessly Endangering Another Person

·         Firearms Not To Be Carried Without A License

Shortly after the arrest warrant was issued, the Pennsylvania State Police requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Based upon the seriousness and violence of the crime, this fugitive case was given high priority.

In 2007, the Pennsylvania State Police placed Caro on their statewide Ten Most Wanted List.

U.S. Marshals based in Scranton worked diligently throughout this investigation, developing many leads and receiving numerous tips. Collateral leads were sent throughout the country in an attempt to identify and locate Caro. This included investigative leads to U.S. Marshals Service personnel in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Arizona and North Carolina.

In February 2012, Caro was profiled on America’s Most Wanted. The initial broadcast and subsequent re-airings resulted in many tips. Information developed through America’s Most Wanted brought USMS investigators closer to locating Caro.

Subsequently, U.S. Marshals developed information that Caro may have fled to Colombia. The international aspect of this case, which resulted in Caro’s arrest in Colombia, was coordinated by the U.S. Marshals Service International Investigations Branch with the assistance of INTERPOL, Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, Diplomatic Security Service and law enforcement authorities in Colombia. Caro is expected to remain in custody pending a decision by the Colombian Supreme Court on his extradition.

 “The primary purpose of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force is to pull together resources from multiple agencies and apply their specialized skills to locate and apprehend violent offenders,” U.S. Marshal Pane said. “Fugitives like Caro are why this task force exists. No matter how long it takes, there is no place to hide once this team of experienced investigators is on your trail. The collaborative effort by the Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office is why we were able to locate this fugitive. It is my sincere hope the victim of this crime can gain some measure of comfort now that the alleged assailant has been apprehended.”

“I greatly appreciate the outstanding work and cooperation from the U.S. Marshals Service in capturing this dangerous fugitive,” said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Frank Noonan. “This is certainly another excellent example of international law enforcement collaboration and teamwork.”

The concept of all USMS-led fugitive task forces is to seek out and arrest the nation’s most dangerous alleged offenders.