Suspect in Triple Slaying Arrested, Being Held in Oklahoma
The man suspected of killing three people and setting a home on fire in Rye, Colorado has been arrested in Oklahoma. Harry Carl Mapps, 59, was arrested at a motel in Roland, Oklahoma, Sheriff Kirk Taylor told the press.
Mapps is charged with the murders of 51-year-old Reginald Tuttle, 55-year-old Kim Tuttle and their daughter, 33-year-old Dawn Roderick. He allegedly shot them to death before setting their home on fire in an attempt to cover up the deaths. He then fled from the scene and made his way to Oklahoma, managing to evade authorities for over one month before being captured.
While a motive is unknown, it is clear that Mapps had a relationship with the Tuttle family. He worked as a handyman for the family and rented a room from them. He was caught on surveillance cameras cashing checks from the deceased, leading police to add charges of identity theft and forgery.
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"There are a lot of people who will breathe easier knowing Harry Carl Mapps is in custody. While our work isn't done, there is certainly satisfaction in knowing we can begin this next phase of the case," Sheriff Taylor told NBC.
Authorities managed to track him to a hotel room in Oklahoma, and a team consisting of members of the deputy U.S. marshalls, the marshalls' Violent Crimes Task Force for eastern Oklahoma, the state Highway Patrol and Roland police were able to safely capture Mapps. Details were not released as to what transpired during the capture, but Mapps did have a significant, bloody wound under his right eye.
One person identifying himself as "USMC RON" posited on NBC's website that Mapps "accidentally stumbled and fell while the left-handed police officer was arresting him. Sometimes they stumble and fall a lot." Others have also suggested that he fell at some point during the arrest.
Mapps is currently being held without bond and will be extradited to Colorado to face the court for his crimes, which are all felonies.
