Two-Time Prison Escapee On The Run In Metro Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The U.S. Marshals Service says they are still following active leads in the search for a federal inmate who pulled off what may seem impossible -- escaping from lockup not once, but twice, in an eight-month span.

Rocky Marquez, 34, walked out of the Wayne County jail on Jan. 20 after switching identities with another inmate. And that was the second time Marquez escaped jail by posing as someone else.

Authorities said, in May, he busted out of a Phoenix, Arizona jail and was on the run for months until U.S. Marshals tracked him down in Detroit early this month. Officials said Marquez had a loaded AK-47 near him when he was arrested on the city's west side.

Marquez was being held at the Wayne County Jail awaiting extradition back to Phoenix when he managed to slip away again -- and it took guards and police five days to even realize he was gone.

Marquez originally was arrested in September 2010 on suspicion of perjury, influencing a witness, forgery, felony criminal damage, misconduct involving weapons, driving under the influence, failure to stop and misdemeanor criminal damage.

A Marshals Service spokesman told WWJ Newsradio 950 they believe Marquez is still in the Detroit area. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about Marquez's whereabouts is asked to contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Department at 313-224-2222.

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