Alaska Murder Suspect On the Run for Two Years Captured in Guatemala

An Alaska murder suspect who has been on the run for more than two years was captured in Guatemala, federal officials said Wednesday.

The U.S. Marshals Alaska Fugitive Task Force said it tracked murder suspect Ariel Patrick to Guatemala, where he was detained and subsequently deported by Guatemalan authorities back to the United States.

Patrick, 25, was charged, along with David Kenneth Anderson, 26, in the Sept. 29, 2007, beating of 20-year-old Jamaal Barras.

Anderson was convicted of second-degree murder in October and is awaiting sentencing.

The investigation was bolstered by a key tip that led authorities to Guatemala. Additional investigative work conducted by Anchorage Police Detectives and U.S. Marshals along with the help of the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and Guatemalan authorities led to the apprehension of Patrick on Monday, according to the U.S. marshals.

Patrick entered the U.S. in Houston on Wednesday, and U.S. Marshals arrested him on the outstanding murder warrant. He is awaiting extradition from Harris County, Texas.