U.S. Marshals Arrest Puerto Rico Murder Fugitive in Lebanon County

Fatal shooting occurred over two decades ago

Harrisburg, PA – Today, United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced the arrest of Felix Pinero-Baez, a 63-year old man, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

On October 5, 1986, Pinero-Baez was involved in a vehicular accident in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He fled the scene of the accident. A 35-year old female who witnessed the accident followed Pinero-Baez’s vehicle. She approached it when it stopped, and was shot three times by the car’s driver. In November 1986, the victim died from the gunshot wounds. In January 1987, an arrest warrant was issued charging Pinero-Baez with the homicide. Pinero-Baez has been on the run since, and has never been arrested for this murder.

On August 6, 2013, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, in coordination with Puerto Rico National Police, requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force to assist in locating Pinero-Baez. Information was developed indicating Pinero-Baez was in the Lebanon area.

During the morning hours of August 7, U.S. Marshals, Lebanon City Police Department, Pennsylvania Board of Probation & Parole and Pennsylvania State Police located and arrested Pinero-Baez in the 100 block of North 12th Street in Lebanon. Pinero-Baez was arrested without incident.

Pinero-Baez was turned over to local authorities, and is held at the Lebanon County Prison. Pinero-Baez will be arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Thomas Capello.

United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force is committed to ensuring victims of such cruelty have justice. Such dangerous fugitives are given the highest priority, and we are committed to taking them off the streets swiftly to prevent further harm to the public.”

U.S. Marshals received significant assistance from the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole and the Pennsylvania State Police. These agencies are participating members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Additional assistance was provided by the Lebanon City Police Department.

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