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Search for fugitive causes concern in the city

Wanted man eludes manhunts

Date published: 10/23/2008

BY KEITH EPPS

A man wanted in at least four regional jurisdictions eluded two manhunts yesterday in Fredericksburg.

Courtland McBeth, 24, is wanted in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, King George and Prince William on charges involving drugs, failing to pay child support and not showing up for court.

Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said police got an anonymous call at 8:30 a.m. yesterday from a woman informing them that McBeth had just left Heritage Park in Fredericksburg.

The caller described the car McBeth was in, and a city officer who was in the Mullins & Thompson parking lot off U.S. 1 saw the car go by.

Bledsoe said the officer got behind the vehicle and followed it onto the ramp leading from U.S. 1 south and State Route 3 west.

The driver stopped abruptly on the ramp, got out and ran. The officer ran behind him as other officers rushed to the area, Bledsoe said.

Six officers and a dog participated in the ensuing search, but the suspect was not found.

However, a sweatshirt was found in the women's bathroom inside nearby Centre Court that police believe belonged to the suspect.

Bledsoe said a ceiling tile had been moved and there were footprints on a toilet seat. But Bledsoe said police weren't sure if McBeth, who has one arm, ever got into the ceiling.

Bledsoe said police abandoned the search about 10:48 a.m. But about 10 minutes later, a Centre Court employee called to say she heard someone walking on the roof.

While she was on the phone with a dispatcher, she saw a man fitting the suspect's description running into the woods toward Westwood subdivision.

Bledsoe said police resumed their search and at one point got a call from a resident who had seen the suspect running through her yard. But they still didn't find the suspect.

City police yesterday obtained new warrants charging McBeth with obstruction of justice and driving on a revoked license.

McBeth is described as black, 5 feet 7 inches tall and 170 pounds. He is missing his right arm and his hair is much shorter than it was in a picture city police released.

Bledsoe said police sent reverse 911 messages to residents in that area informing them of what was going on. She said McBeth is not considered to be dangerous.

Anyone who sees him is asked to call police at 540/373-3122.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com



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Date published: 10/23/2008


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Hey Look!!! (posted by roadraid , Oct. 23, 2008 9:04 pm)   
It's Merrit... Look, everyone, Merrit!!!

I think he is a community organizer like Obama (posted by imready , Oct. 23, 2008 7:03 pm)   
He was organizing I tell you. LOL.

theREALdeal (posted by justjoeblow , Oct. 23, 2008 3:24 pm)   
one cuff on the wrist, the other throught the beltloop and arond the belt, he would not go anywhere.

Wasn't... (posted by seantrantham , Oct. 23, 2008 2:07 pm)   
Harrison Ford in a movie about this situation?

Not surprising.... (posted by theREALdeal , Oct. 23, 2008 1:07 pm)   
The response time for other officers coming to assist was hampered by the special enforcement at the 'dangerous' train station croswalk. It would have been great to watch them figure out how to handcuff him....

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