Canadian Fugitive Wanted For 1974 Rape Of 5-Year-Old Arrested In San Dimas
SAN DIMAS (CBSLA.com) — A Canadian fugitive wanted for raping a 5-year-old who suffered from cerebral palsy was captured this week in a San Dimas trailer park.
Raymond Douglas MacLeod, 71, who fled Canada in 1980, was arrested Monday at his trailer in the East Shore Recreational Vehicle Park, at 1440 Camper View Road in San Dimas. Sheriff's officials say MacLeod had been living in the United States illegally with the social security number of a dead man.
Canadian Fugitive Arrested In San Dimas
MacLeod was arrested in 1974 by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and while awaiting trial, attempted to flee Canada for the United States on two occasions, but was stopped. MacLeod was tried and acquitted due to an error made by the judge, sheriff's officials said.
In 1980, a new trial was ordered for MacLeod, who was found to have fled Canada and a warrant was issued for his arrest by Canadian authorities.
Parks Bureau Deputy Dan Whitten came upon information about MacLeod in January while patrolling the trailer park. He contacted Canadian authorities, who started the extradition process. Whitten's research led him to believe MacLeod was in the country illegally, so also he contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Marshal's Office, officials said.
Following a 10-month investigation, ICE confirmed MacLeod's Canadian citizenship, which led to his detention and pending deportation.
MacLeod was found to be in possession of two firearms, sheriff's officials said. MacLeod has a long history of criminal activity, including arrests for having concealed firearms and DUIs, Whitten said.
"He's been here a long, long time," Whitten said.
Because MacLeod was convicted in a drunken hit-and-run death in 1984, using his real name and date of birth, he will also be charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, Whitten said.
Whitten said he has also notified the department's special victims bureau about MacLeod.
