robyrob
03-17-2004, 08:22 AM
from Yahoo! News Wed, Mar 17, 2004
LAS VEGAS - Charles A. McCoy Jr., suspected in two dozen sniper shootings that have terrorized area motorists along Ohio highways, was arrested at a Las Vegas motel early Wednesday, authorities said.
"We got him in custody without incident," said Las Vegas police Lt. Christopher Van Cleef.
Van Cleef said McCoy, 28, was taken to be interviewed following his arrest at the Budget Suites motel near the Stardust casino.
Police were told of McCoy's whereabouts by a person who recognized him from media reports linking him to the Ohio shootings, Van Cleef said.
"He wasn't armed, but we haven't been in the motel room or his vehicle yet," Van Cleef said. He said police have impounded a 1999 Geo Metro that McCoy was driving.
"I knew it would happen without incident because he was a very passive individual," McCoy's sister Amy Walton said on NBC's "Today" show. "This came as a great shock to our family."
When asked what she would say to her brother, Walton said, "We can't wait to talk to you. Everything will be OK."
FBI (news - web sites) special agent Todd Palmer said McCoy is being processed in the agency's office and likely will be transferred to the U.S. attorney's office.
"They'll be in communication with the Columbus U.S. attorney," Palmer said.
McCoy was identified as a suspect Monday, when authorities released his picture, vehicle description and license plate. A bulletin to police departments said McCoy was believed to have mental health problems, a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition.
The 24 shootings around several highways on the southern outskirts of Columbus pierced homes and a school, dented school buses, flattened tires and shattered windshields. They began in May.
The shootings prompted commuters to take back roads and schools to cancel classes or hold recess indoors. Police increased patrols and offered a $60,000 reward. The state installed cameras on poles along Interstate 270.
The only person struck, Gail Knisley, 62, was killed as a friend drove her to a doctor's appointment Nov. 25. Lab tests showed that bullets from nine of the shootings — including Knisley's death — were fired from the same gun.
Authorities haven't said what evidence led them to McCoy. An arrest warrant charges McCoy with felonious assault in a shooting with a 9 mm handgun that damaged a house Dec. 15.
Until January, the gunfire was scattered along or near Interstate 270, the busy highway that encircles Columbus. The last four shootings had moved toward the southwest on I-71.
LAS VEGAS - Charles A. McCoy Jr., suspected in two dozen sniper shootings that have terrorized area motorists along Ohio highways, was arrested at a Las Vegas motel early Wednesday, authorities said.
"We got him in custody without incident," said Las Vegas police Lt. Christopher Van Cleef.
Van Cleef said McCoy, 28, was taken to be interviewed following his arrest at the Budget Suites motel near the Stardust casino.
Police were told of McCoy's whereabouts by a person who recognized him from media reports linking him to the Ohio shootings, Van Cleef said.
"He wasn't armed, but we haven't been in the motel room or his vehicle yet," Van Cleef said. He said police have impounded a 1999 Geo Metro that McCoy was driving.
"I knew it would happen without incident because he was a very passive individual," McCoy's sister Amy Walton said on NBC's "Today" show. "This came as a great shock to our family."
When asked what she would say to her brother, Walton said, "We can't wait to talk to you. Everything will be OK."
FBI (news - web sites) special agent Todd Palmer said McCoy is being processed in the agency's office and likely will be transferred to the U.S. attorney's office.
"They'll be in communication with the Columbus U.S. attorney," Palmer said.
McCoy was identified as a suspect Monday, when authorities released his picture, vehicle description and license plate. A bulletin to police departments said McCoy was believed to have mental health problems, a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition.
The 24 shootings around several highways on the southern outskirts of Columbus pierced homes and a school, dented school buses, flattened tires and shattered windshields. They began in May.
The shootings prompted commuters to take back roads and schools to cancel classes or hold recess indoors. Police increased patrols and offered a $60,000 reward. The state installed cameras on poles along Interstate 270.
The only person struck, Gail Knisley, 62, was killed as a friend drove her to a doctor's appointment Nov. 25. Lab tests showed that bullets from nine of the shootings — including Knisley's death — were fired from the same gun.
Authorities haven't said what evidence led them to McCoy. An arrest warrant charges McCoy with felonious assault in a shooting with a 9 mm handgun that damaged a house Dec. 15.
Until January, the gunfire was scattered along or near Interstate 270, the busy highway that encircles Columbus. The last four shootings had moved toward the southwest on I-71.