The person at the center of this case
Car dealership salesman (unnamed)
Violent Crime · Open - Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution
45 years waiting · since 1980
LUIS ROSADO
Justice for Car dealership salesman (unnamed) — the trail went cold in 1980, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Why has Rosado evaded capture for over 40 years and where is he currently hiding?
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location
Lead #2What specific connections does Rosado maintain to New York City, Puerto Rico, and Havana, Cuba?
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person
Lead #3What is Rosado's alleged involvement with the FALN and how does this relate to the 1980 robbery?
On December 10, 1980, Luis Rosado and an accomplice robbed a car dealership in Highland Park, Illinois at gunpoint, kidnapped the salesman, and stole a van. After arrest and release on bond, Rosado failed to appear for trial in March 1981 and has remained a fugitive for over four decades. He has known ties to New York, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, and is believed to be an active member of the FALN, a designated terrorist organization.
Case
#650
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division; Lake County Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit)
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
🔍
evidence
Lead #4Was the stolen van recovered and does it contain any forensic evidence linking Rosado to other crimes?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Armed Robbery; Kidnapping, Theft, Aggravated Battery, Failure to Appear Caution: Luis Rosado, along with an accomplice, allegedly entered a car dealership in Highland Park, Illinois, on December 10, 1980, and robbed the salesman at gunpoint. Rosado and his accomplice then allegedly bound the salesman and drove away with a stolen van from the dealership.
Following a high-speed police chase, both were arrested and charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, theft, and aggravated battery. They were released on bond, however, Rosado failed to appear for his March of 1981 trial.
A state warrant was issued on March 6, 1981, for Rosado's arrest by the Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois. Rosado was charged federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and a federal warrant was issued for his arrest on March 6, 1981.
Rosado's accomplice was tried in March of 1981, and was subsequently convicted and sentenced. Remarks: Rosado has ties to New York City, New York, and Puerto Rico.
He may travel to Havana, Cuba. He is allegedly an active member of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion National de Puerto Rico (FALN), a clandestine terrorist organization.
Timeline of Events
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1980-12-10
Armed robbery and kidnapping at car dealership
Rosado and accomplice robbed salesman at gunpoint, bound him, and stole a van following high-speed police chase
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1981-03-06
State and federal warrants issued
Rosado failed to appear for March 1981 trial; state warrant issued by Lake County Circuit Court and federal warrant issued for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 10, 1980
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:December 10, 1980
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case