Fugitive Wanted in N.Y. Shootings Arrested

Law enforcement officers transport Ralph "Bucky" Phillips after he was captured in Akeley, Pa. Phillips is suspected of shooting three New York state troopers. (By David Duprey -- Associated Press)

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Associated Press
Saturday, September 9, 2006

CARROLL, N.Y., Sept. 8 -- A fugitive suspected of fatally shooting a New York state trooper and wounding two others while on the run for more than five months surrendered Friday night to police who had cornered him in a field near the Pennsylvania state line.

Ralph "Bucky" Phillips walked out with his hands up, New York State Police Investigator Gary Colon said, ending the manhunt for the 44-year-old career thief who broke out of a Buffalo-area jail in April.

The arrest capped a frantic day of searching that started with troopers firing at Phillips as he dodged authorities in a wooded area.

For hours, police had methodically moved closer to Phillips. Just before nightfall, 25 SWAT officers and 12 dogs swept through a field where he was thought to be hiding. He gave himself up around 8 p.m., police said.

Phillips became the subject of a huge search after allegedly shooting a state trooper near Elmira, N.Y., in June. The trooper survived.

Then, authorities said, he ambushed and shot two troopers on Aug. 31 as they staked out the home of Phillips's former girlfriend. One of the men died Sunday; the other was in critical condition.