FBI Press Release
Federal Bureau of Investigation
1961 Stout Street Suite 1823
Denver, Colorado 80294
Main phone: (303)629-7171
Fax: (303)575-7132
For Immediate Release
The FBI, specifically the Denver Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, is requesting the media’s assistance in seeking information from the public regarding MARCO ANTONIO VILLARINO , date of birth 10/08/1978 who remains a fugitive. VILLARINO is believed to be responsible for a series of robberies that occurred in Mesa, Arizona between September and November of 2004. The robberies involved two Hispanic males that used a garden sprayer filled with gasoline. The robbers doused employees and the interior of at least five check cashing businesses, with gasoline, prior to fleeing. The businesses were robbed and on at least two occasions, fires were lit in the businesses as the suspects fled. The suspects wore Halloween masks in several of the robberies.
Mesa, Arizona investigators were able develop MARCO ANTONIO VILLARINO as a suspect. Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona, issued a warrant for VILLARINO, charging him with Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Arson of an Occupied Structure, Aggravated Assault, 1st Degree Burglary, Theft of Means of Transportation and Criminal Damage.
On November 21, 2004, at about 7:00 p.m., Denver Police Department (DPD) Officers were dispatched to El Centenario, a jewelry and clothing store located at 2546 Federal Boulevard, Denver, Colorado. Officers were dispatched there in reference to a robbery that had just occurred. The Denver Police Department Robbery Unit report indicated that three Hispanic males entered the business, two wearing skin-colored rubber-type masks and the third covered his face with his hand. Two suspects carried handguns while the third carried a bag. The suspects stole several thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from the display cases and several thousands of dollars from the register and safe. A single shot was fired into the ceiling by one of the suspects.
Through investigative efforts after the above incident it was determined that MARCO ANTONIO VILLARINO was in fact one of the suspects from this robbery. A warrant was issued out of Denver County, Denver, Colorado charging VILLARINO with Aggravated Robbery.
Using information provided by Mesa, Arizona Police Department, the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force developed a possible location for. Several attempts were made to arrest VILLARINO. VILLARINO was twice spotted by RMSSTF Agents and DPD Detectives in the Denver, Colorado area however, he was able to avoid arrest. During one of the attempted arrests, VILLARINO was surrounded by DPD officers and he used his vehicle to ram a DPD vehicle and affect his escape. A 9mm handgun was recovered from one of the vehicles known to be used by VILLARINO. A .25 caliber handgun was also seized from a room where he was staying.
A warrant for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution was filed in federal in 2006 and remains outstanding pending VILLARINO’s capture.
It is believed that VILLARINO could be in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area or traveling between the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. He is also believed to be accompanied by his girlfriend MIRANDA LEAH RAMIREZ, year of birth 1988. No warrants have been issued for her arrest but the FBI would be interested in her whereabouts as she is considered a person of interest. VILLARINO has worked in the construction industry performing drywall installation, plumbing and flooring work. He has been known to use the following aliases: Antonio Rosas Armenta, Antonio Aguilar, Marco Villarino, Marco Antonio Minoz, and Marco Leal-Prieto. He is considered to be ARMED AND DANGEROUS and an ESCAPE RISK.
VILLARINO is described as follows:
Race: W
Sex: M
DOB: 10/08/1978
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 150- 180 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Miranda is described as a white female approximately 5’6”, weighing 145-160 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Please see the attached photographs for both VILLARINO and RAMIREZ.
Anyone with information is being asked to call their respective FBI offices as listed: Albuquerque (505) 889-1300; Las Vegas (702) 385-1281; Phoenix (602) 279-5511.
