The person at the center of this case
Car salesman (unnamed)
Violent Crime · Open - Fugitive at Large
45 years waiting · since 1980
LUIS ROSADO
Justice for Car salesman (unnamed) — the trail went cold in 1980, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where has Rosado been hiding since 1981? His known ties to New York, Puerto Rico, and Cuba suggest possible international movement.
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person
Lead #2What is the current status and whereabouts of Rosado's accomplice, who was convicted and sentenced in March 1981?
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clue
Lead #3How significant are Rosado's alleged ties to FALN, a designated terrorist organization, in understanding his motivations and potential safe harbors?
On December 10, 1980, Luis Rosado and an accomplice robbed a car salesman at gunpoint at a dealership in Highland Park, Illinois, bound the victim, and fled in a stolen van. Both were arrested following a police chase, but Rosado was released on bond and failed to appear for trial in March 1981, prompting federal charges for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Despite a $50,000 reward, Rosado remains a fugitive with suspected ties to New York, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, and alleged connections to 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.
📍
location
Lead #4Has Rosado maintained connections to Puerto Rico or Cuba that could aid in locating him after 45+ years as a fugitive?
Have information about any of these leads?
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
Luis Rosado and accomplice robbed a car salesman at gunpoint at a dealership in Highland Park, Illinois, bound the victim, and stole a van. High-speed police chase ensued.
🕵️
1981-03-06
Warrant Issued
State warrant issued by Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois for Rosado's arrest after he failed to appear for trial. Federal warrant issued by U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois 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:September 10, 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:September 10, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case