SAN DIEGO -- Crews searched almost 20 hours for 54-year Jim Repetto, off the coast of La Jolla Shores in stormy conditions and choppy waters.
“I saw a lifeguard jeep going,” said Elizabeth Leibold, a visitor from Arizona, who watched the search efforts Saturday night. “They had at least one
boat out there, maybe two, and a helicopter scanning the water.” San Diego Lifeguards say a friend of Repetto reported that the man from the Boston
area left on a two mile swim from La Jolla Shores to the Scripps Pier and back, but never returned.
The intense search lasted from 6:30 Saturday night, until it was suspended at 2:30 Sunday afternoon.
“We don’t plan on searching anymore, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Henry Dunphy.
10news obtained federal court documents that indicate Repetto was facing possible jail time and hefty fines for his involvement in a $1.3
million-dollar mail fraud scheme which started more than a decade ago.
He was set to appear in front of a federal judge in Massachusetts last month.
But two weeks before that court date, he suffered severe burns after his Jeep caught fire and he got trapped inside.
His rescheduled court date for sentencing was moved to next month.
10News contacted several family members in Massachusetts and his attorney in Boston, but no one returned our calls.
Hope this guy is found O.K.. Seems like he's had a spat of bad luck with the car burning up and all.
If not keep an eye out for him in case he swam to the Splash.
Nicholas keep an eye peeled in case this guy if he emerges from the surf covered in seaweed requesting a pacifico.
The wet bills he pays with will be a big giveaway.monoloco - 2-28-2011 at 08:41 AM
If they don't find the body, he's probably in Rio.chippy - 2-28-2011 at 08:50 AM
Severe burns don´t heal that fast. Sounds he faking the burns and the drowning. Oh well I´m sure he´s in Mexico by now.durrelllrobert - 2-28-2011 at 11:30 AM
According to The Los Angeles Times, the case has been turned over to the missing persons bureau of the San Diego Police Department after investigators
came across his background.
Federal prosecutors in Boston claim that Repetto's alleged scheme involved the Ocean Spray Cranberries plant where he was manager.
Repetto is charged with crimes that include fraud and attempting to intimidate a witness, after allegedly padding invoices submitted to the company
for bins and pallet repair by a packaging firm owned by a co-defendant. Repetto reportedly got a kickback for each phony invoice that he signed off
on.Curt63 - 2-28-2011 at 11:33 AM
He's on the run for sure..most likely in Baja.
I have met several guys in Baja that couldn't return to the US for various reasons...warrants, alimony etc.
Apparently its a good place to ... get lostdurrelllrobert - 2-28-2011 at 12:06 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Curt63
He's on the run for sure..most likely in Baja.
probably managing a produce packing plant in SQ and buying crates from his cousin in LP cabo3100 - 2-28-2011 at 12:56 PM
He scammed a bunch of inverstorsmcfez - 2-28-2011 at 01:04 PM
What does this have to do with Baja?Curt63 - 2-28-2011 at 01:14 PM
For fugitives and those avoiding court dates that cant leave the country legitimately for fear of being caught, Baja is very easy to drive in to.
Hence, after the alleged fire and being "lost at sea" he would need to "disappear" from the US.
Baja seems a likely destination.Marc - 2-28-2011 at 08:27 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
What does this have to do with Baja?
That's where he's hiding? Maybe in SF??Woooosh - 2-28-2011 at 08:53 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
What does this have to do with Baja?
Maybe he booked a passing smuggling panga for the return trip to Popotla? DENNIS - 2-28-2011 at 08:55 PM
I was watching the news and a "crawl"...those news items that travel across the bottom of the screen, said that they found him.. Something about being
miles from the boat. He's alive and well....I guess.Woooosh - 2-28-2011 at 09:02 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I was watching the news and a "crawl"...those news items that travel across the bottom of the screen, said that they found him.. Something about being
miles from the boat. He's alive and well....I guess.
oh yeah, "well". lol He went for swim and came back to find his dirty laundry waiting. I guess he missed his panga ride. Woooosh - 3-1-2011 at 10:26 AM
you are probably right- but my version was more fun. He was either swimming or diving and how long was he missing?DENNIS - 3-1-2011 at 10:43 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
I have been wrong before but I think that was a diver from a boat that didn't come up where he was supposed to.
I think you're right. You don't get a lot of detail from those crawls, but I think it mentiond diving.
I have to pay closer attention.BajaNomad - 3-1-2011 at 01:33 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
... how long was he missing?
Apparently, he's still "missing". The person that was "found" was someone
else - a diver off a boat in another part of La Jolla.
