The person at the center of this case
Car salesman (unnamed) - armed robbery and kidnapping victim
Violent Crime · Open - Fugitive at Large
45 years waiting · since 1980
LUIS ROSADO
Justice for Car salesman (unnamed) - armed robbery and kidnapping victim — 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 #1Where has Rosado been hiding since 1981? Known ties to New York City, Puerto Rico, and possible travel to Havana, Cuba warrant investigation.
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person
Lead #2What is Rosado's alleged connection to FALN (Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional de Puerto Rico)? Does this provide leads on his whereabouts or associates?
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evidence
Lead #3The accomplice was convicted in March 1981—what information did they provide about Rosado's plans or destinations?
On December 10, 1980, Luis Rosado and an accomplice allegedly robbed a car salesman at gunpoint at a dealership in Highland Park, Illinois, bound him, and fled in a stolen van. Both were arrested following a high-speed police chase and charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, theft, and aggravated battery. Rosado was released on bond but failed to appear for trial in March 1981, and has remained a fugitive for over four decades with suspected ties to Puerto Rico, New York, and Cuba.
Case
#650
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division; Lake County Circuit Court, 19th Judicial Circuit
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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.
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1981-03-06
Warrants Issued
State warrant issued by Lake County Circuit Court for failure to appear at 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:April 29, 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:April 29, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case