The suspect ran away from police on Monday near Lufkin Road and East Williams St, leading to a significant law enforcement response, including drones and K-9 units. Apex Police said the active search was later called off Monday after authorities were unable to find him.
The search started after he fled into a wooded area when HSI agents attempted to arrest him on Monday. He remains at large.
On Monday night, a DHS spokesperson told ABC11 that the man was 27-year-old Jonathan Escobedo-Ramirez.
Escobedo-Ramirez was wanted for Illegal reentry after deportation and failure to register as a sex offender, according to DHS.
Apex police call off search, unable to find fugitive wanted for sex offenses
He was convicted of sexual battery of a minor on May 18, 2018, and was deported on July 11, 2018, but later re-entered the country.
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Even with the search for Esobedo-Ramirez off in Apex, people in town, like Ravi Sharma, said they still feel safe.
"I have full faith in the police and their capabilities, so I am not much worried about that," said Sharma. "Ultimately, he will be caught because people cannot live with the wrongdoing."
Escobedo-Ramirez, who is about 5 feet tall, was last seen wearing a ball cap and a neon yellow, long-sleeve shirt. If you see him, call 911 immediately.
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