Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
February 1, 2013

Fugitives arrested; woman booked for harboring

By JOSH NEWTON Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — Three people were behind bars at the Cherokee County Detention Center Thursday after authorities executed felony search warrants on two Indiana fugitives.

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Investigator Justin Hackworth said police in Switzerland County, Ind., were notified recently when a fugitive from that area attempted to purchase a firearm at a Muskogee County pawn shop.

Hackworth said Robert A. Riley Jr., 26, is a convicted felon and also has pending robbery charges in Indiana. Authorities there told local investigators they wanted to extradite Riley if he could be located.

Hackworth said local officers received information Riley could have a gun in his possession, and was at a home in the Keys area.

County investigators worked with the U.S. Marshal Service Thursday morning to execute a warrant at a home on Horseshoe Bend Road. Hackworth said Riley’s girlfriend, Jessica M. Chambers, 21, told authorities Riley was not at the home, but they later found Riley hiding behind a fake wall built into the residence.

Riley was booked for the felony warrant, and Chambers was arrested on potential charges of harboring a fugitive, according to Sheriff’s Investigator James Brown.

Investigators said Riley did not have a gun when he was arrested.

Investigators also received information from Indiana authorities that Riley might be with of Timothy Cunningham, 30, who is also wanted in Indiana for conspiring to commit a burglary.

Brown, who is also a special deputy U.S. Marshal, worked with other U.S. Marshals and learned Cunningham – Riley’s brother – was staying at a Tulsa motel. Authorities went to that motel and arrested Cunningham Thursday afternoon, then transported him to Cherokee County.

Riley and Cunningham both indicated to authorities they plan to waive extradition, Brown said.

An extradition hearing is scheduled for Friday morning at the Cherokee County Courthouse.

Text Only
Local News
Poll

Should storm shelters be a mandatory part of construction in tornado-prone areas?

Yes, in all structures, whether they be public buildings or private homes and businesses.
Yes, but only in public buildings, like schools or stadiums; no for private homes and businesses.
No, storm shelters should not be mandatory, but perhaps government funds or grants should be available to those who choose to build them.
No, they should not be mandatory, and there should be no government funds for them.
Undecided.
     View Results
Press Sports Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
AP Video
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness "Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Stocks
Bedlam