New Bedford, Massachusetts – An escaped fugitive that had been sought for nearly (2) weeks was captured today by Trooper David Reis of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS). Anthony FLYE was arrested on Route 6 in Westport as FLYE was hitchhiking westerly towards Fall River this afternoon around 2:15 PM after a Deputy United States Marshal, who was working with Trooper Reis in the Westport area where FLYE was believed to be, contacted Trooper Reis and informed him of a hitchhiker that could be FLYE.

Trooper Reis, Deputy United States Marshals and New Bedford Police Detectives had been working throughout the day in New Bedford tracking down FLYE and were very close to apprehending him, but when these investigators received information that FLYE was in the Westport area, Trooper Reis and Deputy US Marshals responded to Westport while New Bedford Police detectives covered New Bedford. Shortly after arriving in the area of Route 6 in Westport, Trooper Reis approached the hitchhiker, verified that it was FLYE and took him into custody without incident.

Trooper Reis, a former New Bedford Police Officer, works almost daily with investigators from the New Bedford Police Department and has participated in the arrests of some of the most dangerous and wanted criminals throughout the state. Trooper Reis’ knowledge of New Bedford, the rapport that he and the Massachusetts State Police have with the New Bedford Police Department and the tremendous personal efforts made by Trooper Reis resulted in yet another successful capture of a very dangerous criminal.

Although neither the Massachusetts State Police nor the New Bedford Police Department had any role in the incident that led to the escape of Anthony FLYE, in less than (2) weeks, Trooper Reis and members of the Massachusetts State Police VFAS, the New Bedford Police Department and the United States Marshals Service were able to sort through volumes of information and tips; develop accurate information as the locations where FLYE had been; conduct surveillance; and interview several sources of information to lead to FLYE’s arrest. Although only Trooper Reis, other Massachusetts State Troopers and Deputy United States Marshals were present in Westport today when Trooper David Reis took Anthony FLYE into custody, those efforts combined with the efforts of the New Bedford Police Department almost guaranteed that FLYE’s arrest was only a matter of time.

The New Bedford Police Department again extends it thanks and appreciation to the extraordinary efforts of the United States Marshals Service, the Massachusetts State Police, and especially to Trooper David Reis of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section. Although Trooper Reis is no longer a New Bedford Police Officer, he has once again helped make the City of New Bedford a safer community.