U.S. Marshals, in a coordinated effort across multiple states, successfully located and apprehended a man wanted for a hit-and-run incident dating back to 2012. Doroteo Chavez, 62, was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on January 24th, after fleeing from authorities for nearly a decade.

Chavez was wanted in connection with the Aug. 18, 2012, hit-and-run accident which left a 2-year-old girl a broken femur, internal injuries, and severe skin abrasions. Chavez was driving while under the influence of alcohol at the time he struck the girl. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, causing serious bodily injury, and failure to return to the scene of an accident. He was released on $13,000 bond, but failed to appear for the next court hearing and fled the area.

Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force (GLRFTF) investigators developed information that Chavez was in the Mount Airy, North Carolina, area and sent a collateral lead to the USMS Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) in North Carolina. CRFTF investigators interviewed family members of Chavez and determined he was not in North Carolina but residing with a relative in Valdosta, Georgia, and provided this information to the USMS Southeast Reginal Fugitive Task Force (SERFTF).

SERFTF sent investigators to the location and after conducting surveillance and interviews determined Chavez had been residing in Valdosta but had departed one day earlier. Investigators then learned Chavez had fled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and requested the assistance of the USMS in the Middle District of Louisiana Task Force (MLTF). MLTF investigators pursued Chavez and determined he had fled the area and was heading towards Houston.

The USMS Southern District of Texas Fugitive Task Force was contacted and activated personnel that developed information that placed Chavez in San Antonio and provided this information to the USMS Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) to assist in locating him.

LSFTF investigators developed further information that Chavez was at the La Quinta Inn & Suites on I-35 in San Antonio. LSFTF members conducting surveillance at the inn identified Chavez standing outside his motel room and took him into custody.

Chavez has been extradited to Indiana.