Fugitive Wanted For 1979 Chicago Murder Arrested At O'Hare
CHICAGO (CBS) – A 65-year-old man who fled the country after being charged with killing another man 34 years ago was arrested Friday on warrants for murder and jumping bail, according to Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart.
Ata Yousef El Ammouri was arrested at O"Hare after arriving from Jordan at approximately 5 p.m. El Ammouri was traveling back to the U.S. to attend a graduation.
He is charged with shooting and killing Joe Harris on July 22, 1979. El Ammouri is alleged to have shot him after Harris left of El Ammouri's store in the 500 block of 67th Street in Chicago without paying for a can of beer, according to the Cook County Sheriff's office.
"Today's capture of Ata Yousef El Ammouri should send a message that the simple passage of time does not eradicate our commitment to bringing fugitives to justice," said Sheriff Dart. "I want to thank the State Department and the various state and federal agencies for their outstanding intelligence gathering throughout this initiative as well as our team on the ground for their patience and professionalism, all of which has ensured that this man will finally answer for his crimes."
Sheriff Tom Dart tells WBBM that the fugitive had previously been in the United States for nine months back in 1998.
El Ammouri was charged with murder in 1979 and received addition charges after jumping bail. He appeared in bond court this Saturday morning where he was denied bond. His next scheduled court date is June 10.
