Last Week's 'Fugitive of the Week' Arrested Thanks to Tipsters

Concord, NH – On Friday, July 17, 2015, “Fugitive of the Week,” Richard Decelle, 47, was arrested without incident in Ludlow, VT by members of the Vermont State Police, who are part of the VT Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Decelle was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for a parole violation. Mr. Decelle was on parole as a result of a conviction and sentence for 2nd degree assault by strangulation. Decelle was featured as the ‘Fugitive of the Week,’ due to his violent tendencies and his extensive criminal history that dates back to the mid-80’s.

As part of the U.S. Marshals fugitive investigation, Michaud was featured as the “Fugitive of the Week” just this past week, on July 15, 2015. The “Fugitive of the Week” was broadcasted on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster’s Daily Democrat, Manchester Information, The Manchester Ink Link and is prominently featured on the internet. The “Fugitive of the Week” continues to be very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its implementation in 2007.

It was due to this extensive press coverage that several people contacted the fugitive task force and revealed that Decelle was currently staying at a specific motel on Route 103, in Ludlow, VT. This information was quickly forwarded to the U.S. Marshals in VT and the VT State Police. The Vermont State Police were able to immediately respond to the motel and take Mr. Decelle into custody without any incident. Decelle has been charged as a fugitive from justice in Vermont, based on the outstanding NH arrest warrant. Decelle will be held in Vermont pending his return to the NH State Prison.

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 5,869 arrests (Updated as of 12/4/2014). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 7 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.