Longtime fugitive held in Las Vegas
When Las Vegas police arrested 61-year-old David Free this week at his home, his family was left wondering why.
They didn't know about his armed robbery arrest in Florida in the mid 1970s. They didn't even know his real name was Jack Hazen.
"His family had no idea who he was," said police Sgt. Dave Stansbury. "They didn't know about his history."
That history included escaping from prison in Florida in 1976 while serving a 7-year sentence. After his escape, he obtained a new Social Security number, new identity and new crime-free lifestyle.
Stansbury said Hazen worked in construction, got married and started a family. Las Vegas police believe he had been living in Southern Nevada for at least 23 years before his arrest Wednesday.
"He was living the life of a good, common citizen," Stansbury said.
Hazen was one of three fugitives arrested by the Criminal Apprehension Team, three law enforcement agencies that collaborate to catch dangerous fugitives. Stansbury announced at a Thursday news conference that the unit also arrested this week two fugitives from California wanted for armed robbery.
The Criminal Apprehension Team, launched in 1992, includes three officers from Las Vegas police, two from the FBI and an officer with Henderson police, Stansbury said.
On Monday, the team arrested Joshua Labs and David Alcaire, both 26. They were wanted for a series of armed robberies in the past month in the area of Riverside, Calif. The longtime friends are accused of robbing several fast-food restaurants and a bank, Stansbury said.
Stansbury said there was no indication they had committed any crimes in Las Vegas.
The Criminal Apprehension Team was able to make the arrests by getting tips from law enforcement officials in Florida and California that the fugitives were in Las Vegas.
Stansbury said the unit is responsible for 400 arrests per year. He said fugitives are drawn to Sin City.
"They like to come to Las Vegas to party after their crime sprees," he said. "But we don't want that type of element in our city."
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-4638.
