Law finally catches up with Tamaqua fugitive

A Tamaqua man who has been avoiding law enforcement authorities since Feb. 3 was apprehended on April 2.

Robert Rex, 20, of 6 Cherry St., was placed in an inpatient rehabilitation facility on Feb. 2 as a condition of his parole on felony assault charges. He walked away the next day and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Probation officers went to his Tamaqua home several times in an attempt to apprehend him, including on March 13 when he made an escape through a third-floor bedroom window and fled into the woods.

At 4:05 p.m. on April 2, officers from Tamaqua, Coaldale and McAdoo went to the Rex home. While Rex wasn't there officers received information that he was possibly at 71 Bowe St.

They moved to the new location and were able to find Rex, who fled, running through yards toward Mahanoy Street. His flight was unsuccessful and he was apprehended.

He was arraigned before duty District Judge James Reiley, of Pottsville, on a charge of flight to avoid prosecution. Bail was set at $25,000 straight, sending Rex to the Schuylkill County Prison in Pottsville.

Also, as a result of the March 13 visit to the Rex home Michelle Marie Rex, 40, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia when parole officers found a blue glass marijuana pipe during their search for the fugitive.