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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Date:  04/05/2009 United States Marshal
District of South Dakota, Rapid City

Charlie Ahmad, Supervisory Deputy
Rapid City, SD

(605) 342-6331

 
Because of Federal Officer with a Good Ear, Federal Fugitive Now in Custody
 
Sydney Garreau, a fugitive wanted on federal escape charges, was apprehended at 5:10 p.m. by the U.S. Marshals Service with assistance from the Rapid City Police Department at the 400 Block of East Fairlane in Rapid City, SD.

Garreau was being sought after his escape from the Community Alternatives of the Black Hills half-way house on March 13th. Garreau was located after Rapid City Police Officers responded to a disturbance call. Garreau was present at the disturbance but possessed no identification documents and gave an alias name to officers. Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Roe, monitoring his police radio, heard an alias of Sydney Garreau called in by the responding officers. Deputy Roe immediately responded to the scene and was able to positively identify the individual as the fugitive, Sydney Garreau.

Garreau was indicted by a federal grand jury on escape charges and a warrant was issued for his arrest on March 15. He is believed to have been present on March 18, when a South Dakota highway patrolman was allegedly assaulted by Jeremy DeCoteau, 26. DeCoteau was apprehended shortly after the assault, but Garreau was able to successfully flee on foot. U.S. Marshals, along with several other federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officers have been pursuing Garreau ever since. Sydney Garreau has an extensive criminal history that includes arrests for crimes of violence such as possession of a stolen firearm, carrying or using a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and sexual abuse of a minor.

“Violent fugitives such as Mr. Garreau are given the highest priority by the Marshals Service because the potential to harm other innocent civilians while they remain at large” said U.S. Marshal Warren Anderson.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the lead law enforcement agency for the Black Hills Fugitive Task Force, a team comprised of law enforcement officers from several law enforcement agencies in western South Dakota. Last year, the task force apprehended close to 250 fugitives wanted on federal and state warrants.