Police: Fugitive was ‘defeated, exhausted’
Nov 19, 2012, 3:46 PM | Updated: 4:28 pm
For 36 days, Phoenix police searched for 35-year-old Angel Padilla.
With the help of friends and acquaintances, he managed to avoid capture until Sunday night when SWAT members surrounded a house near 91st Ave and Palm Lane and Padilla surrendered without a fight.
“He looked defeated, exhausted,” said Sgt. Steve Martos. “Like he just wanted to get this over with.”
The trouble started Oct. 13, when police say Padilla allegedly kidnapped his estranged partner from her home near 67th Ave. and Buckeye Road. Not long after, an officer who hadn’t yet heard about the kidnapping reported Padilla running a stop sign. When the officer tried to stop Padilla, he said Padilla got out of the car and fired multiple rounds from an assault rifle. The officer was not hurt and his estranged partner managed to get away with minor injuries.
Investigators credit detectives, the community and Silent Witness for eventually leading them to Padilla. He faces attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons charges, with more expected.
Police said he is an investigative lead in at least home invasions, one which included a man beaten to death.
