State Police Arrest Celeste Salcido for Harboring Fugitives
Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents arrested Celeste Salcido (45) of Albuquerque, minutes ago on charges of Harboring or Aiding a Felon (two counts) and Assisting Escape – aiding a prisoner to escape (two counts).
Throughout their investigation into the escape and capture of escaped fugitives Lionel Clah and Joseph Cruz, NMSP agents learned through multiple interviews that Ms. Salcido is the partner of Olivia Cruz, escaped fugitive Joseph Cruz’s sister, and that Ms. Salcido assisted Ms. Cruz in aiding and abetting the escaped fugitives while they were on the run.Agents learned that Ms. Salcido came in contact with escaped fugitives Joseph Cruz and Lionel Clah after their escape, knowing both had escaped from prison and were wanted by police. Ms. Salcido was living with Ms. Cruz at a mutual friend’s apartment in Albuquerque, in the same apartment complex where Lionel Clah was later captured. Both Joseph Cruz and Lionel Clah arrived at that apartment on March 10, 2016, and Ms. Salcido allowed them to enter and she harbored them there for hours. Ms. Salcido also allegedly provided her phone to Lionel Clah so that he could call others for assistance.
Ms. Salcido was arrested and charged with the aforementioned offenses. She will be booked into the Metro Detention Center in Albuquerque.
Olivia Cruz Charged with Assisting in the Escape of Joseph Cruz
Albuquerque, NM – Early this morning, New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents served Olivia Cruz (38) of Albuquerque, sister of Joseph Cruz, with a warrant for her arrest on charges of Assisting Escape (aiding a prisoner to escape). Ms. Cruz was served this warrant at the Sandoval County Detention Center where she is housed for unrelated charges. State Police arrested Ms. Cruz for an outstanding warrant on these separate charges last week after
questioning her about the escape of her brother, Joseph Cruz, and Lionel Clah.
Throughout their investigation into the escape and capture of escaped fugitives Lionel Clah and Joseph Cruz, NMSP agents learned through multiple interviews that Ms. Cruz came in contact with her brother, escaped fugitive Joseph Cruz, and Lionel Clah on Thursday, March 10, 2016, the day subsequent their escape. On that day, Ms. Cruz visited at least two residences of her acquaintances, seeking refuge for her brother, Joseph Cruz.
Agents learned Ms. Cruz successfully harbored Joseph Cruz at an apartment in the apartment complex where Lionel Clah was later captured. That apartment belonged to a friend of Ms. Cruz who was allowing Ms. Cruz and Celeste Salcido (Ms. Cruz’s partner) to reside there temporarily. Ms. Cruz allowed Joseph Cruz and Lionel Clah to hide at that apartment for hours, knowing her brother and Clah had escaped from prison and police were searching for them. The owner of the apartment, unknowing at the time the fugitives were wanted, later made the fugitives leave the residence.
Ms. Cruz is charged with assisting in the escape of Joseph Cruz for her role in concealing and sheltering her brother, Joseph Cruz. She is charged only with the above statute, as being a blood relative and his sister makes her exempt from the statute pertaining to Harboring a Felon.
Associate of Escaped Fugitives Arrested
Today, Patricia Petrushkin (51) of Humble, TX, (photo below) was arrested for harboring and aiding escaped fugitives Joseph Cruz and Lionel Clah. The investigation into the escape of the fugitives indicated that Ms. Petrushkin had a close connection to Joseph Cruz. Ms. Petrushkin had communicated with Cruz while he was on the run and previously while he was incarcerated at the Penitentiary of New Mexico, informing him that she would assist Cruz in the event he escaped custody.
On March 10, FBI agents interviewed Ms. Petrushkin at her residence in Humble, TX. During that interview, Ms. Petrushkin admitted that on the night of March 9, 2016, she had lodged over night at the Hawthorne Suites in Albuquerque. Between approximately 8:30 and 9:00 p.m., Ms. Petrushkin said she received two phone calls from Cruz during which Cruz informed her he had escaped from prison and wanted to know her location, which she stated she gave him. Hours later, around 2:00 a.m., Cruz and Clah arrived at Ms. Petrushkin’s hotel room in Albuquerque.Throughout the next couple of hours, Ms. Petrushkin admitted she harbored Clah and Cruz in her motel room, provided her cell phone to both so that they could call others for assistance in their continued nefarious behavior, provided Cruz and Clah with money, and provided Clah with clothing. Ms. Petrushkin was aware both Cruz and Clah were fugitives at the time and chose not to contact law enforcement, opting instead to aid and abet the fugitives.
The New Mexico State Police sent two Investigations Bureau agents to Texas and they along with US Marshals arrested Ms. Petrushkin at an airport in Houston, Texas. Ms. Petrushkin was arrested moments ago and charged with two counts of Harboring or Aiding a Felon. She is pending extradition back to New Mexico for prosecution.
State Police Arrest Albuquerque Woman for Aiding Escaped Fugitive
Albuquerque, NM – Minutes ago, New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents arrested Michelle Abeyta (40) of Albuquerque for harboring and aiding escaped fugitive Lionel Clah. Ms. Abeyta is the woman who called 911 on Saturday and reported a male subject, whom she identified as Lionel Clah, broke into her apartment and was inside. Albuquerque Police Department officers arrived shortly after the 911 call and placed Lionel Clah into custody.
State Police agents subsequently interviewed Ms. Abeyta. During the interview, Ms. Abeyta admitted she met Joseph Cruz and Lionel Clah on Thursday, March 10, 2016, when the two showed up at a neighbor’s apartment. Inside that apartment, among others, was escaped fugitive Joseph Cruz’s sister, Olivia Cruz, who had been previously invited to stay in the apartment, although she did not rent the apartment.The owner of the apartment, unaware the fugitives were wanted, made the fugitives leave. Ms. Abeyta then opened her apartment to Lionel Clah, knowing at the time he was wanted by police because Clah informed her he had escaped from prison. Ms. Abeyta stated she enjoyed his “companionship” over the next couple days and harbored Clah inside her apartment until Saturday, March 12, when she decided to call 911 and turn him in.
Ms. Abeyta was arrested and charged with Harboring or Aiding a Felon. She will be booked into the Metro Detention Center in Albuquerque. Because Ms. Abeyta was arrested and charged and will be prosecuted for Harboring or Aiding a Felon, she is no longer eligible and will not receive the US Marshals’ reward money.
