Fugitive who once faked suicide arrested again


February 22, 2012 at 8:39a.m.

Fugitive who once faked suicide arrested again

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — A man who once faked his own death to avoid prosecution has been arrested in another case after nearly 10 years on the run from authorities in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Peter Michael Russell is back in Erie after being taken into custody last month following a domestic dispute in Las Vegas. Russell had been wanted in forgery and hit-and-run cases dating back to 2002.

The Erie Times-News reports Las Vegas police took Russell into custody after running his name. Erie police brought Russell back two weeks ago.

Russell faked a suicide in 1984 to avoid a burglary prosecution. He was arrested in 1994 in California, pleaded guilty and was eventually released in 1997.

Russell is being held at Erie County Prison.