Most Wanted Illinois Suspect Taken Down by US Marshals in Mexico
It was a manhunt that lasted for years, but there's finally closure as US Marshals have announced that they captured an Illinois murder suspect who was on the run in Mexico.
According to a press release from the US Marshals that was just published today, they took down 57-year-old John Panaligan in Tepic, Mexico. He was previously on the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitives list in 2020. He is accused of allegedly murdering attorney Victor Jigar Patel in Northbrook, Illinois on December 7, 2016.
Panaligan was captured on October 21, 2024 and was deported the following day to the United States to face justice.
"I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to the men and women of the Marshals Service, as well as to the officials from the Government of Mexico,” said Director Ronald L. Davis. “I hope this arrest brings some measure of comfort to the Patel family and serves as a stark reminder to fugitives from justice that there is no place to hide.”
The arrest of John Panaligan concludes an 8-year pursuit of a man who is accused of luring the attorney to his office where it is believed that he killed him while wearing a disguise to avoid identification by security cameras.
Interim Chief John Ustich of the Northbrook Police Department said "The United States Marshal’s Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force worked tirelessly in collaboration with the Northbrook Police and other agencies to apprehend the fugitive. The relentless efforts by law enforcement for the past 8 years are a clear reminder that you cannot hide from justice. The Northbrook Police Department remains committed to providing closure for the family of the victim, Jigar Patel".
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Gallery Credit: Illinois Department of Corrections