An American fugitive wanted for alleged sexual offences against minors has been arrested in Gqeberha after years on the run, IOL can reveal.
The suspect, whose identity is known to IOL but cannot be legally named until he has pleaded to the charges, has been playing hide-and-seek with US law enforcement.
The arrest was executed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Detective Task Team and Interpol at 3pm on Wednesday.
Crime intelligence and the city’s Crime Combating Unit assisted with the arrest.
The American embassy asked the task team to trace his movements after he fled the US in 2024 following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
He then allegedly sneaked into SA, where he went into hiding in Gqeberha.
According to police sources, the man was nabbed at a house in Kabega Park in Gqeberha.
He was then taken to Humewood police station.
The man’s run from the law began after a criminal indictment was filed against him in the Bexar County 144th District Court in San Antonio, Texas.
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the arrest.
“The suspect will now be extradited back to the US to face the charges of sexual assault and rape against him in that country.”
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