By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — U.S. Marshals this week tracked down 40-year-old Michael Munufie of Surprise in the United Kingdom. Investigators say Munufie first ran to Canada, then crossed the Atlantic while trying to dodge charges that he sexually abused a teen for months.
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Munufie is not the only Arizona suspect who has tried to disappear in another country this year.
In August, investigators say 20-year-old Varun Batchigari killed his girlfriend in Tucson, then bought plane tickets that same day and flew to Germany, where U.S. Marshals caught up with him.
Some suspects are still believed to be on the run, possibly in another country. That includes Matthew Flores, accused of killing his parents in Litchfield Park.
What drives suspects to flee abroad
Forensic psychologist Dr. John De La Torre said whether a suspect plans to flee the country or decides at the last minute depends on the crime and the suspect.
“I think it’s more that they’re panicking,” Dr. De La Torre said. “I think there’s more to the further I can run, the further I can escape both literally and figuratively my own shame and guilt, right?”
Dr. De La Torre said in cases like Batchigari’s, the decision to run is often less about a long-term plan and more about panic.
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“I think it’s people are kind of just doing whatever decision will first pop into their head to try to escape punishment,” Dr. De La Torre said. “I think that’s more likely to be the case, but not always.”
Dr. De La Torre said even when people think they’ve planned the perfect escape, it’s usually only a matter of time before they’re caught.
“Once that panic sets in, once that shame and guilt sets in, once you know that you’ve crossed a boundary, that’s going to lead to your loss of freedom,” Dr. De La Torre said. “The more you’re willing to engage in behaviors that are just escalating.”
Americans tend to stand out in other countries, and U.S. law enforcement regularly works with other countries to track down fugitives.
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