The fugitive: Mateo Alano Canales
When and where: Sept. 9, 2006, near Avra Valley Road and the Interstate 10 frontage road.
Investigators: Ruben Rosales of the Pima County Adult Probation Warrants Unit.
Summary: Canales, 35, was pulled over for having fictitious plates on his vehicle. The officer ran his name and learned that Canales had multiple outstanding misdemeanor warrants, according to court documents.
The vehicle was searched, and the officer found a glass container with methamphetamine, a number of baggies and other paraphernalia with white crystal residue and a digital scale, court documents show.
A woman was in the car with Canales, and on being arrested, he said, "All of it is mine; none of it is hers; please don't take her to jail."
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The pair were arrested, and Canales was indicted on the following charges: possession of a dangerous drug for sale, transportation of a dangerous drug for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The latest information: Canales pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted possession of a dangerous drug for sale, and the remaining charges were dismissed.
He was sentenced to six months in jail, to be followed by three years of probation, court documents show.
Canales was released from jail in July 2007 but failed to report to his probation officer within 24 hours of his release, court documents show.
As a result, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Canales hasn't been heard from since, according to Rosales. "It's almost like he's vanished," he said.
Canales has been convicted of forgery and criminal trespass in the past, according to court records.
"Mr. Canales has some computer training and is known to take people's identities and wipe out their checking accounts," Rosales said. "He is good at hiding who he really is.
"He's been involved in the justice system since he was a juvenile. He's basically a career criminal and a meth addict who deals to support his habit."
Canales has brown hair and brown eyes, weighs 205 pounds and is 6 feet, 2 inches tall.
He also has a tattoo of hearts with an arrow on his left hand, a tribal band on his right ankle, a pyramid on each thigh, two dragons on his back and "bad seed" on his left ankle.
How you can help: Call 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line of the Pima County Attorney's Office.
– Alexis Huicochea
Crime Stoppers
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The Arizona Daily Star and local public-safety agencies are teaming up to report on a different unsolved case or fugitive each week. Please contact authorities if you have information that can solve these crimes.
