Wanted Felon Caught On St. Clair River
A Canadian fishing trawler captain, wanted on several charges including assault and resisting arrest, has been apprehended in Michigan waters.
Officials say an off-duty Marine Interdiction Agent spotted the trawler Josh II, Thursday, heading north on the St. Clair River. The boat's captain was wanted in connection with an incident last year in which he used the 81-ton craft to ram a Great Lakes Office of Air and Marine Agents vessel while attempting to flee back into Canadian waters.
Following that incident, an arrest warrant was issued for charges including obstruction of boarding, providing false information and assaulting, resisting or impeding officers.
Following Thursday's sighting, a helicopter was launched to track the vessel. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and OAM officers were then able to trap the Josh II by Stag Island and make the arrest before the suspect could escape into Canada a second time.
The suspect's name was not immediately released.
Supervisory Marine Interdiction Agent, Bill Carroll, said the arrest was a team effort. "Everything went without incident, thanks in part to the support from our Great Lakes Air Interdiction Agents, U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Marysville Station and the Port Huron Police Department K-9 team."
An investigation continues.
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