Man who escaped La Tuna 30 years ago turns himself in

A man who escaped federal prison 30 years ago voluntarily turned himself in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Tornillo port of entry Wednesday.

Rodolfo Suarez, 66, arrived as CBP officers were working on pedestrian inspections, when he told them he was turning himself in. CBP officers immediately queried Suarez and received and “armed and dangerous” match.

According to officials, further queries revealed Suarez had escaped from La Tuna Federal Correctional Facility 30 years ago and had been wanted ever since.

“Usually fugitives are surprised when our queries turn up their wanted status,” said CBP Tornillo Port Director Donna Sifford. “In this case, the man volunteered the information which we then had to confirm.”

According to U.S. Marshals, Suarez was originally arrested and booked in 1985 for possession of cocaine. He escaped in August 1988.