ABQ RAW staff
POSTED 04/12/2022 11:50AM

On April 5th, 2022, inmate Manuel Villalobos escaped custody and a search has started along the Rio Grande river near Rio Rancho and the Corrales area. Police found his orange jump suit stripped along the river. New Mexico State Police have confirmed that Villalobos is still on the loose.
According to a release from the NM Department of Corrections, Villalobos, is a level-one inmate work crew member from the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility’s minimum security unit. He was out on assignment near the Rivers Edge subdivision in Rio Rancho. Correctional staff were supervising 12 inmates of the crew, when trustee inmate Manuel Villalobos walked off assignment after claiming to go to the restroom.
There is information that NM Department of Corrections have found in his property a letter sent to him that he had access to a vehicle near the area of the work detail.
“There are currently no updates available. The New Mexico State Police continues to follow all leads to safely apprehend Villalobos,” said Lieutenant Mark Soriano of New Mexico State Police.
Lt. Soriano advises to if anyone has information as to the whereabouts of Manuel Villalobos, do not approach, and call 911 or the New Mexico State Police at (505) 841-9256.