The U.S. Marshals said Friday they had arrested Tam Minh Le, a “career criminal” and one of the 15 most-wanted fugitives, in a motel in Ashland, Virginia.
Mr. Le, 43, was wanted primarily for an August 2014 crime in Philadelphia. He is accused of beating and stabbing three men before tying them up and throwing them in the river, officials said. Only one of the victims survived.
“An extremely dangerous person has been taken off the streets,” said Robert Mathieson, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We hope and pray his arrest brings some peace to the families of his victims.”
The Marshals said that upon entering Mr. Le’s room at the Motel 6, they found his wife and three children present. After removing the family from the scene, officers found Mr. Le in the bathroom, attempting to escape through the ceiling.
“Tam Le’s arrest is a testament to the extraordinary efforts made by our dedicated men and women who worked on this case,” said Stacia Hylton, director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “I am greatly appreciative of their hard work and commitment to bringing this dangerous fugitive to justice.”
Mr. Le is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania, where he will be formally charged.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.