| Branscome Arrested In Texas |
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| David Grimes / Larry Middleton | |
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Through the use of advanced tracking methods, the U.S. Marshal’s Service took Steven Dale Branscome into custody early Sunday morning at a hotel in New Boston, Texas.
According to Virginia State Police Sgt. Bob Carpentieri, Branscome was taken into custody at approximately 12:40 a.m. (central time) at the Bostonian Inn, in New Boston, Texas – not far from Texarkana in the northeast part of the state, by a U.S. Marshal’s Service Swat Team.
“Through the use of advance tracking methods, investigators were able to track Branscome to the New Boston area,” said Carpentieri. When asked what those methods were, officials declined to say.
U.S. Marshal Wayne Pike, who is in charge of the Western District of Virginia, said that Branscome was put into the vicinity of New Boston at around 11 p.m. (central time). After law enforcement officials were able to confirm that the van was located in the hotel parking lot. Deputies from the Eastern District of Texas, along with Texas Rangers and the tactical team started to arrive in that area.
They were able to confirm that Branscome was inside of a room at the hotel. Sometime in the early morning hours, Branscome came out of the room and went to the van and then returned to his room. The rooms adjacent to Branscome were evacuated.
As the Swat Team made entry, Branscome at first refused to cooperate, but a short time later he gave himself up.
According to U.S. Marshal Pike, there was a brief standoff lasting about five to 10 minutes, when Branscome barricaded himself inside the motel room he had rented with some mattresses.
Police said there were no shots fired during the standoff.
Pike would not say if any weapons were found, but he did say there were some indication of maybe some drugs and money being found.
The 1999 Chevrolet passenger van, which was stolen from a church parking lot in Ashe, N.C. on Wednesday, April 2, was located in the hotel parking lot, in which Branscome was arrested at on Sunday.
“This church van is kind of divine intervention,” said Pike. “He got this church van and stuck with it, because for awhile we knew where he was, but didn’t know what he may be in.”
“The two individuals from Pulaski, who spotted the truck in Statesville, N.C. that Branscome stole from Indian Valley played a key role,” said Pike.
“This is a great day here in Floyd County and at the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office,” said Floyd County Sheriff Shannon Zeman, Sunday afternoon. “To have an incident like this and for our community to be safe and have no one injured makes it a great day.”
Law Enforcement Authorities believe Branscome was likely heading for Mexico, and they have no reason at this point to believe he knew anyone in Texas.
Branscome was alone in the motel when he was arrested Sunday morning.
Branscome is currently being held in the Bowie County Jail in Texas waiting extradition where a multitude of charges await him in several states including the charges in West Virginia where he has been charged with the shooting of a Virginia State Police Officer.
Virginia State Trooper Richard Hughes, who was the officer allegedly shot by Branscome, has return to duty.
Police would not say at this time if Branscome had any help. “This is still an ongoing investigation and if anyone helped in any way, they will be prosecuted.”
Photo: (Top left) U.S. Marshal Wayne Pike explains to the media Sunday afternoon how Steven Dale Branscome was taken into custody by Federal Marshals in Texas. (Photo by Larry Middleton)
Photos of the press conference by Larry Middleton.
Branscome Update 2:30 p.m. Sunday
The Virginia State Police held a news conference this afternoon regarding the capture of fugitive Steven Dale Branscome. Branscome had been on the run for over a week on a variety of charges, including the shooting of a Virginia State Police officer.
According to Wayne Pike of the U.S. Marshal's Service, Branscome was taken into custody after a brief 5 to 10 minute standoff with a U.S. Marshal Swat team in the parking lot of a hotel in New Boston, Texas, near Texarkana. Click here to see map. The 1999 Church Van that Branscome had stolen near Statesville, N.C. was found in the parking lot of the hotel. Pike said that the Marshals used "advanced tracking methods" but did not elaborate.
Branscome is currently being held in the Bowie County Jail in Texas waiting extradition where a multitude of charges await him in several states including the charges in West Virginia where he has been charged with the shooting of a Virginia State Police Officer.
In a statement released this afternoon, Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent said, “This is the safe resolution that we were hoping for. By increasing police presence in the Floyd County area, we were able to force Branscome out into the open and away from the support network that enabled him to elude investigators for the past week.” You can see a copy of this news release by going to the Virginia State Police Website by clicking here.
“The Virginia State Police wish to express our sincere appreciation to those citizens in Floyd County who provided us with assistance and information during the course of the investigation. We are also most grateful to the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia State Police and the multitude of local police and deputy sheriffs that aided us in this extensive search and investigation,” continued Col. Flaherty.
EverythingNRV has more on this story, along with photos and video of the press conference. These will be posted and updated as the afternoon and evening progresses so check back often.
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