FREMONT, IN (WTVB) – A fugitive registered sex offender was captured Friday morning in Fremont, Indiana by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department after a search which forced a lock down of Fremont Community Schools.
43-year-old Aaron Matthew Harp had several outstanding felony warrants for his arrest. Sheriff’s detectives got a tip from the public on his whereabouts and went to the 700 block of West North Street in Fremont.
Detectives found a vehicle matching the description of one known to be associated with Harp. A deputy then saw a man running away.
A subsequent search of the area was conducted with the use of a Fremont Police K-9. The Fremont Police Department placed Fremont Community Schools on lock down as a precaution due to the close proximity of the search area.
Harp could not be located after a two hour search. The search was suspended and the school lock down was later lifted after it was determined that Harp was not near the school.
He was then spotted just before noon on West North Street. Harp was found inside of a residence and taken into custody after police got some help from a cooperative citizen.
Harp was taken to the Steuben County Jail where he was being held without bond for failing to appear on three felony charges for failure to register as a sex or violent offender. He is also the subject of a new failure to register investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and additional charges are expected.
In addition, 26-year-old Deserea Renea McConnell of Fremont was arrested for assisting a criminal. The Sheriff’s Department says she allegedly admitted to alerting Harp to the police presence which prompted Harp to flee on foot. Her bond was $3,000.
Fremont Police and the Indiana State Police assisted the Sheriff’s Department.
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