U.S. Marshals Arrest Cleveland Suspect From 1981 Rape Case

San Juan, PR – U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, Cuyahoga County Sheriff, David Shilling, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley announce the arrest of Julio Rentas, 67, who has been on the run since the 1980s.

Late in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 9, the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force in Puerto Rico arrested Julio Rentas in the city of Juna Diaz, approximately 65 miles southwest of San Juan.

On January 4, 1981, Julio Rentas was alleged to have raped a 14-year-old girl by sneaking into her bedroom in Cleveland, OH. On January 25, 1981, a little over two weeks after the Cleveland Division of Police issued a city-wide bolo for Rentas, he was arrested and released with a court date set of March 25, 1981.

Rentas failed to appear for his court hearing and his life on the run began that day. After recently adopting this case, the Cold Case Unit of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) in Cleveland, identified several associates in the greater New York City area as well as Daytona, Florida. Information was developed that Rentas had been hiding in Puerto Rico since the early 2000's. This information was sent to members of the U.S. Marshals Puerto Rico Task Force. They were able to set up surveillance on Rentas and apprehend him swiftly without incident and ending his 40 years on the run.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, "No matter how far fugitives flee and no matter how long they think they can hide the United States Marshals Service will never give up on looking for them and we will always bring justice to the victims of these horrendous crimes." Elliott added, "I am very proud of our unit and of all of our partners within our city, we will continue to serve justice within Cleveland as one unit and for all of our United States." Rentas is scheduled to appear before a Judge in Puerto Rico this Thursday for an identity and extradition hearing.

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED(1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tip to TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage Northern District of Ohio. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.