Missouri Prison Escapee Arrested in Chester County, PA

Philadelphia, PA — Members of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force arrested Mario Che-Tiul, 34, for escape and related charges, at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the unit block of Gap Newport Pike in Avondale, PA. Che-Tiul and six other inmates escaped a Barry County jail on June 1st, 2023. It is alleged the escapees violently attacked two correctional officers before fleeing. A warrant was issued for Che-Tiul on June 2nd and the fugitive case was delegated to the U.S. Marshals Service Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force in Missouri.

On the morning of September 21st, members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia developed information Che-Tiul may be presently at a residence in Avondale PA. At 1:30pm, that residence was surrounded by Marshals Service investigators and Che-Tiul was located in one of the apartments on the property. Che-Tiul was positively identified and placed under arrest without incident. Che-Tiul was then transported to the Chester County Prison and charged as a “Fugitive of Justice”. Che-Tiul was the last of 6 escapees captured.

Eric Gartner, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania stated, “This latest capture of an escaped prisoner from Missouri should underscore a very clear message, and one that applies globally: our efforts never cease. Ever.”   

This fugitive investigation was a joint effort by the U.S. Marshals Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, Immigration Customs Enforcement, and the Chester County Criminal Investigative Division.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force is a team of law enforcement officers led by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent crime fugitives. Membership agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Parole Officers, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General Agents, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Chester Police Department, Bucks County Sheriffs, and Delaware County Sheriffs.