Merry Christmas for a WA family

[MrR]

 Animal Control Officer's tip leads to the apprehension of an FBI fugitive wanted for kidnapping and interstate flight to avoid prosecution. He recognized the two people on a wanted poster in the police station. The resulting surveillance allowed the arrest of fugitive Steven Lowell Recker, 31, who had elluded the FBI for nearly 2 months.

 The 15 year old girl has been returned to her family in Republic, WA.  Her disapearance had been broadcast by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

 Besides the Federal charges, police filed additional state charges of: sexual assault of a child, posession of Meth. 5.5 grams and posession of marijuana. 6.5 oz.

 Recker is currently being questioned by the FBI and our local police detective.

"Congratulations to the Law Enforcement members and Agencies who's hard work allowed another Family to reunite this Christmas!"

* Detailed story to print Thursday, December 25 *

[MrR]

South Jetty
December 25, 2003
Vol 33 No 52
 
FBI fugitive nabbed in Port Aransas

By Carolynn Richards
South Jetty Reporter

 A federal fugitive remained in jail in Port Aransas late Monday after being arrested Friday afternoon at Avenue A and Oleander Street.

 Steven Lowell Recker, 31, who had been eluding the FBI for nearly two months, was arrested by Police Chief Don Perkins.
 
 In an attempt to avoid arrest, Recker ran his vehicle into one driven by Perkins and backed into James Stokes' personal vehicle, which had been used for undercover surveillance.

 Recker was wanted by the FBI for kidnapping and for interstate flight to avoid prosecution. The warrant was issued Oct. 28. He was considered armed and dangerous.

 The 15-year old girl Recker allegedly kidnapped also was taken into custody. Her disapearance had been broadcast by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

 She had been missing from Repblic, Wash.

 * The girl has since been reunited with her family. *

 Police began watching Recker after Port Aransas Animal Control Officer Jim Williams saw the wanted poster in the police station and said he saw two people matching their description in Port Aransas.

 The two were apparently living in one of the small apartments behind the Circle K at  Beach and Alister streets, Perkins said.

 After checking out Williams' sighting, police put the dwelling under surveillance and were deciding how to take Recker into custody, Perkins said.

 Recker and the girl left the apartment, Perkins said, so officers attempted to stop them at Beach and Alister.

 Following the arrest, a search warrant was obtained and Perkins said officers found 5.5 grams of methamphetamine and more than 6.5 ounces of marijuana.

 Besides the federal charges, Port Aransas police filed additional state charges of sexual assault of a child, a second degee felony; possesion of metahamphetamine, a second degree felony; and possesion of marijuana over four ounces and less than five pounds; a state jail felony.

 The sexual assault  assault and methamphetamine charges are punishable
by two to 20 years in the penitentiary plus fines up to $10,000, and the marijuana charge is worth 180 days to two years plus a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.

 On Monday Recker was being questioned by FBI agents and Port Aransas Police Sgt. Darryl Johnson.
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"Prayers to the child and family as they begin the long road to healing"

-R