Fourth escapee captured late Thursday

Victor Sotelo, the fourth escapee to be captured from Sunday’s jailbreak in Clovis, was apprehended late Thursday night in Albuquerque.

“We’re four down, four to go,” Curry County Undersheriff Wesley Waller said Friday morning. “We’re optimistic.”

Sotelo, 26, of Portales was caught without incident around 11:45 p.m. in the 1200 block of Ortiz, SE in Albuquerque, more than four days after his escape, according to Waller.

Waller said information gained in Curry County led Albuquerque police to Sotelo’s location.

Waller said Sotelo was still in custody in Albuquerque on Friday  and that investigators from Curry County had traveled there to interview him.

“The investigation is going well,” Waller said.

“We’re still receiving numerous tips and leads (some of) which aided in the capture of Sotelo last (Thursday) night.”

Four escapees remain at large from the group of eight that escaped Curry County Adult Detention Center about 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, using handmade tools to cut a hole in the roof of the jail.

Convicted murderer Edward Salas, 21, and accused murderer Larry McClendon Jr., 19, are among those still at large. All of the escapees are charged with violent crimes.

Chandler said Thursday law enforcement believed the escapees could be in Clovis, Curry County, Albuquerque and west Texas.

Heavy media coverage nationwide has made residents abroad aware of the fugitives and helped in generating tips in other areas, Waller said.

Chandler said investigators are “exploring the possibility” Salas and Sotelo fled the jail at the same time.

McClendon and Michael England could be traveling together and may be in the Clovis/Curry County area, officials have said.

“(But) we’re not narrowing our focus down. The hunt for the escape is expanding its boundaries with every day that passes,” Chandler said.

Sweeps of areas the escapees are known to frequent or visit and areas where their friends, family and associates are continue and outstanding warrants are being served, he said.

Chandler said, “we are receiving additional information and expect additional arrests to be made throughout the weekend for those that are harboring or assisting.”

Patrols in Clovis and Curry County have been increased, according to Waller.

Rewards for information leading to arrests have been offered: $3,000 for Salas, $2,500 for McClendon, $1,500 for England and $1,000 for Louis Chavez.

Officials have said the escapees should be considered dangerous and, if sighted, citizens should call 911.

“The citizen tips have continued to come in throughout the last 24 hours and law enforcement are taking those tips very seriously and continue to follow up on them,” Chandler said.

Sotelo was facing charges for aggravated assault when he escaped from the jail.

The four who remain at large are:

• Larry McClendon Jr., 19, 6-foot-1 inch, 152 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. He faces pending murder and aggravated robbery charges.

Officials have said they believe McClendon and a codefendant — Anthony Wallace, who remains in custody awaiting trial — shot Emmett Salisbury in January 2007 while attempting to rob him of money and drugs.

Police believe McClendon and escapee Michael England may be traveling together.

They were seen at England’s mother’s home shortly after Sunday’s escape, police said.

• England, 29, 5-foot-7 inches, 130 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his back — “Only God Can Judge Me,” a tattoo on his right forearm — “South” — and a tattoo on his left forearm: “Side.”

He faces pending charges for tampering with evidence and felon in possession of a firearm related to the shooting death of Salisbury.

• Edward Salas, 21, 5-foot-5 inches, 180 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his back — “SALAS” — and a tattoo on his right arm: “LISA.”

Salas was convicted of murder on April 11, sentenced last month to a minimum of 68 years in prison and was awaiting transfer to the New Mexico Department of Corrections.

He is one of three brothers convicted in the Sept. 15, 2005, shooting death of 10-year-old Carlos Perez.

• Louis Chavez, 18, 5-foot-2 inches, 177 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his chest that reads “FEAR NONE.”

Chavez is charged with aggravated burglary, larceny, criminal damage to property, receiving or disposing of stolen property, tampering with evidence and extreme cruelty to animals.