U.S. fugitive nabbed after long walk in Goulais

Michael Reahard's brief flight from justice ended tonight at 8:20 p.m. on a chilly stretch of Highway 552 in Goulais River.

Five hundred miles from his home (shown) in rural North Manchester, Indiana, the U.S. fugitive told police he'd been walking for most of the day.

The 36-year-old farm worker was on bail in Indiana on a number of child molestation charges.

SooToday.com's earlier coverage of this story

Just before noon Saturday, Ontario Provincial Police discovered Reahard's truck in a ditch on Kirby Road in Goulais.

It still had its Indiana plates.

U.S. reports indicate that Reahard sent E-mails ro friends on Friday indicating that he was leaving the state.

He's believed to have done so around 3 p.m. on Friday.

Crossed bridge around 10:30 p.m.

Reahard is believed to have crossed the International Bridge around 10:30 Friday night.

That was just after Notre Dame Fighting Irish from Reahard's home state lost 3-0 to Lake Superior State University's hockey team, although there's been no indication so far from police that he was at the game.

MapQuest.com lists the driving time from North Manchester to the Michigan Sault at 8 hours and 42 minutes.

Interestingly, the Associated Press and Canadian Press are referring to Goulais River tonight as a "rural farming community in northwestern Ontario."

'Rather not say' what doing in Canada

A television station in Fort Wayne, Indiana that has tag-teamed with SooToday.com tonight in reporting this story, says that when asked by police what he was doing in Canada, Reahard said he'd rather not say.

Arrangements are being made to hand the fugitive over to U.S. authorities, the station reported on its 11 p.m. newscast.

The following news release was issued tonight by the OPP:

************************************** United States Sex offender located north of Sault Ste. Marie

Goulais River, Ont. - Ontario Provincial Police in Sault Ste Marie have located a thirty six year old Indiana man wanted for sex offences in the United States.

Earlier today OPP in Sault Ste Marie started an investigation after a truck belonging to the man was located stuck in the ditch on a very isolated side road in Goulais River.

Goulais River is a rural community located about 20 kms north of Sault Ste Marie.

The investigation revealed that the owner of the truck, thirty six year old Micheal Reahard of North Manchester Indiana, was wanted for multiple felony child abuse charges by WABASH COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT in the State of Indiana.

Michael REAHARD was taken into custody, without incident, by Sault Ste Marie OPP at about 8:20 p.m. tonight.

Officers located Mr. REAHARD walking on Hwy 552 East, between Hwy 556 and Bellevue Valley Road, in Goulais River.

He was dressed in a brown parka and brown snow pants.

He was arrested by the officer for an outstanding immigration warrant.

He advised the officer that he had been walking for most of the day.

Ontario Provincial Police officers have turned the accused over to members of Canada Customs Revenue and Immigration Service.

A warrant for Mr. Reahard’s arrest was issued by Canada Customs Revenue and Immigration for being unlawfully in Canada.

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