A Wayne County, Michigan inmate has successfully escaped jail for the second time. Rocky Marquez, age 34, was missing from the facility for five days before guards realized he was gone. Marquez was being held in Detroit awaiting extradition to Arizona for several federal charges and a DUI.
In 2012 Marquez managed to escape the Lower Buckeye Jail in Maricopa County, Arizona. The jail utilizes a wrist band system, in which each inmate is issued a wristband that contains personal information and their picture.
Marquez was being held on several charges including forgery, witness tampering, and a weapons charge. He convinced another inmate, who was due for release, to switch wristbands with him. As he left the jail, Marquez was able to provide staff with personal information in combination with the wrist band. As reported by Phoenix New Times , Marquez walked out of the jail on May 14, 2012.
The escapee was eventually tracked to Detroit, Michigan, where he was arrested by U.S. Marshals. He was being held in Wayne County Jail until he could be transported back to Arizona.
As reported by ABC News , on January 20th, Marquez walked out of The Wayne County jail using the same method that allowed him to escaped the jail in Arizona.
Marquez again switched wristbands with another inmate who was due to be released and managed to escape without notice. In fact, authorities did not realize he was gone until five days later.
Law enforcement agencies are working together with the U.S. Marshals to search for the escaped inmate. Marquez has an extensive criminal history that includes drug smuggling, perjury, and witness tampering.
Authorities admit that tracking the man, who has now successfully escaped two different jails, will be especially difficult since he has had a five day head start.