Car-Cloning Criminal Boss Escapes

Tampa, Florida—PABLO BARRIO, 54, was placed on house arrest on April 16, 2009 and escaped during the morning of April 28, 2009 from his residence and is now a federal fugitive. 

On March 24, 2009, BARRIO was arrested by federal authorities. BARRIO was the key subject of OPERATION DUAL IDENTITY, a joint investigation involving a major car-cloning scheme. This joint investigative effort was one of the largest auto theft cases in the United States.

Investigators suspected BARRIO may be headed for Mexico. He had access to a 2004 blue Chevrolet Tahoe, Florida license plate 936-IIL. BARRIO has family members residing in High Springs, Florida; he previously lived in Chicago, Illinois; and has connections throughout the state of Florida; Houston, Texas, and has family members in Cuba. 

BARRIO is described as follows:

Race: White Male (Hispanic)
Height: 5 feet 8 inches          
Weight: 170 pounds (Medium Build)                        
Hair: Black w/ Gray              
Eyes: Brown
Date of Birth: January 15, 1955

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