Cooperative Law Enforcement Effort Captures Alleged Manila Bandit

Phoenix, AZ Late last night, members of the United States Marshals Violent Offender Task Force captured Walter Furrh, 51, in the area of Chandler Blvd and 48th St in Phoenix. Walter Furrh was wanted by the Tucson Police Department for Robbery. Furrh, whom authorities dubbed the Manila Bandit, is alleged to have robbed numerous banks around the Tucson area from July 2010 to December 2010. Furrh was called the Manila Bandit because it is alleged that he would present the teller a manila envelope and demand that the money be placed in the envelope during some of the robberies. The Tucson Police Department conducted a lengthy investigation and was able to identify Furrh as the suspect. On December 28, 2010, a warrant was issued by the Pima County Superior Court for the arrest of Furrh. Soon thereafter, the Tucson Police Department requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force to locate and arrest Furrh. Last night, members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force located Furrh in the area of Chandler Blvd and 48th St. in Phoenix. After a brief surveillance Furrh was arrested and subsequently booked into the Maricopa County Jail pending extradition to Pima County. United States Marshal David Gonzales praised this collaborative law enforcement effort adding, The level of cooperation exhibited between agencies during this fugitive investigation was second to none. The United States Marshals Service is committed to providing our state and local partners every available resource in our arsenal to help bring those who victimize our communities to justice, such as Walter Furrh. The U.S. Marshals Service is the nations oldest federal law enforcement agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined. For more information on other USMS Fifteen Most Wanted fugitives and USMS Major Cases, go to www.usmarshals.gov.