Saatio escapes from Costa Rican detention center

According to The Tico Times Newspaper stationed in San José, Costa Rica, U.S. fugitive John Saatio escaped from the immigration detention center in Hatillo June 19, according to an immigration spokeswoman.

The 34-year-old Michigan native was arrested on June 2 in the Central Pacific beach town of Jacó after he was flagged by Interpol for having escaped custody in the U.S. last year.

Saatio was facing a 25-year sentence for multiple charges, including home invasion and destruction of police property.

Immigration spokeswoman, Seidy Muñoz told The Tico Times Monday that immigration police and Costa Rican police are currently coordinating efforts to track down the fugitive.

He had been detained in the immigration detention center for nearly three weeks, awaiting deportation to Michigan.

Muñoz said that Saatio had applied for refugee status through Costa Rica’s immigration courts, which extended his stay in the detention center.

This is developing story. Check back for updates.