The December chill hadn’t quite settled in when they found Maria Elena Vargas in her small bungalow on East 37th Street. A single shotgun blast to the upper torso. Clean, efficient, and leaving a whole lot of questions hanging in the Los Angeles smog. The cops quickly zeroed in on Saul Aguilar, Jr., her ex, a man with a past as rough as a concrete sidewalk. But Aguilar, a construction worker born and bred in this city, vanished. Poof. Like smoke in the desert wind.
Now, nearly three decades later, Aguilar remains a ghost. The FBI has him plastered on their Most Wanted list, a $5,000 reward dangling for anyone who can deliver him to justice. He’s described as being around 5’8” to 5’9”, somewhere between 170 and 175 pounds. Last seen in ’97, he’s pushing fifty now, but the tattoos haven’t faded. “Surenos” inked across his skin, a man and woman on his back, an Aztec warrior guarding his spine. And right across his chest and stomach, a blatant declaration: “Saul Aguilar.” They say he’s likely still armed and dangerous, a volatile mix fueled by a long-standing methamphetamine habit.
The trail went cold fast, but whispers followed. Ties to Mexicali, Mexico. A man who knew how to disappear. Aguilar wasn’t just running from a murder charge; he was running from a life. The state warrant issued in January ’98 became a federal case, the net widening, but still, he slipped through the cracks. This isn’t some petty thief or joyrider. This is a man accused of taking a life, and he’s been living amongst us, a shadow in the sun, for a quarter of a century.
The feds believe Aguilar is still out there, perhaps laying low, perhaps reinventing himself. But a leopard doesn’t change its spots, and a man covered in ink leaves a trail, even if it’s faint. The streets talk, the whispers linger. Someone knows something. Someone saw something.
If you have any information, no matter how small, regarding the whereabouts of Saul Aguilar, Jr., do not approach him. Contact the FBI immediately at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Maria Vargas deserves justice, and a dangerous fugitive needs to be brought to account. Don’t let him vanish again.
🔠Key Facts
| Full Name | Saul Aguilar, Jr. |
| Charges | Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution – Murder |
| Aliases | None known |
| Date of Birth | August 14, 1970 |
| Race / Sex | hispanic / Male |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’8″ – 5’9″ |
| Weight | 170-175 lbs |
| Eyes / Hair | brown / black |
| Scars & Marks | Aguilar has the following tattoos: the name “Surenos”, a man and a woman, and an Aztec warrior on his back; the name “Saul” on his chest; and the name “Aguilar” on his stomach. |
| Location | California |
📋 Source: FBI Most Wanted — Saul Aguilar, Jr.
If you have information about this fugitive, contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
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