U.S. Marshals Apprehend Murder Suspect Hiding in Attic

Birmingham, AL – The U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force (GCRFTF), in coordination with the Birmingham Police Department (BPD), April 26 located and safely arrested a man wanted by the Birmingham Police Department for murder. 

Jose Roberto Pablo-Morales, 36, was wanted for the shooting death of a man following a verbal argument in Birmingham on March 17. The murder was observed by several witnesses. 

GCRFTF investigators and BPD developed information that Pablo-Morales was in the 900 block of 47th Place North Birmingham. After establishing surveillance, investigators identified Pablo-Morales outside a residence and observed him quickly enter the residence. 

BPD detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and, after several call-out attempts and a three-hour stand-off, investigators located Pablo-Morales hiding in the attic. Additionally, two other men were hiding inside the residence and were detained.

Pablo-Morales was arrested and transported to the Birmingham Police Department.  

The search warrant resulted in the seizure of six firearms (four rifles and two handguns), and narcotics. 

The Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force began operations in July 2006 and operates in Alabama, Mississippi with the participation of two federal agencies and 63 state and local agencies. GCRFTF has apprehended more than 70,000 fugitives since its inception.