Anthony Ray Artrip Captured!

Anthony Ray Artrip was wanted by both the FBI and U.S. Marshals for bank robbery.

October 10, 2007

BUNCOMBE COUNTY NC NEWS -- Anthony Ray Artrip, a convicted felon, has been captured in Pennsylvania. Atrip was wanted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals for bank robbery and escaping from the Grant County Detention Center in Williamston, Kentucky, on June 24, 2007.

Artrip was awaiting sentencing in federal court for three counts of bank robbery when he escaped through the roof of the prison facility and fled though a wooded area on foot. On September 11, 2007, Artrip was sighted by police in Asheville, North Carolina, but narrowly escaped police after a vehicle pursuit.

United States Marshals Service Director John Clark while announcing Atrip's addition to the 15 Most Wanted List, said, "Anthony Ray Artrip is exceptionally dangerous. He is a federal fugitive who is not laying low, but continuing to commit violent crimes while on the run. By placing him on our 15 Most Wanted list, I have directed our investigators to use all resources to find and apprehend this dangerous criminal. From what we've seen since his escape, there is no indication that Artrip's criminal activities are going to end. We need to put a stop to his crime spree."

Since his escape from the Grant County Detention Center in Kentucky, Artrip was been wanted for his alleged involvement in at least five bank robberies in West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and Michigan. During the commission of these robberies, Artrip allegedly pulled a handgun on several tellers.

In North Carolina on July 2, 2007, Artrip allegedly entered the Wachovia Bank at 2016 Fairview Road in Raleigh, North Carolina, banished a handgun, pointed it at a teller and ordered her to open a door inside the bank to allow him access behind the bank's counter. The teller also was ordered to open all of her drawers and to tell a neighboring teller to do the same. Artrip took most of the cash from the teller stations and fled on foot from the bank.

On June 25, 2007, a state arrest warrant was issued in Kentucky, after Artrip was charged with escape in the second degree. In Wake County, North Carolina, on July 16, 2007, a state warrant was issued for Artrip arrest charging him with robbery with a dangerous weapon. Finally, a federal arrest warrant was issued by the United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, on July 20, 2007.

Once again, Anthony Ray Artrip a top 10 fugitive has been captured in Pennsylvania.