Posts Tagged ‘us marshal’

Brand new video of Thanksgiving murder suspect

Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Paul Merhige wanted

Paul Merhige wanted

It’s been four weeks today since the deadly Thanksgiving shooting that took the lives of four family members in Jupiter, FL.  It would be quite a blessing to find Paul Merhige, the man allegedly responsible for the shootings, and to bring him to justice for Christmas.  Merhige is charged with four counts of first degree murder.  Yesterday, investigators released brand new video of Merhige in high school, and for the first time, we can hear his voice.  I watched the entire interview, and it’s hard to believe this young, articulate, aspiring football player is the man police believe is responsible for killing his own family members.  I spoke with Sgt. Scott Pascarella last week, and he says investigators from his region, including the United States Marshals and the FBI are all on board to tracking Merhige.  They’ve received well over 180 tips, and 90% of those leads are exhausted.  Authorities even searched the pond behind the house where the shooting took place three times looking for evidence. “We don’t want the fire to burn out,” Sgt. Pascarella told me.  He also says Merhige is traveling with four weapons, two handguns and a .308 Remington Rifle, and one other unknown gun.  The weapons have been located, and neither has the 2007 Blue Toyota Camry Merhige was last seen driving.  Merhige does posses a concealed weapons permit, and investigators know the handguns were purchased weeks before the shooting, and the rifle was bought the day before.  Just recently, throughout Miami, investigators canvassed new posters in Spanish and Creole throughout to the public.  Sgt. Pascarella says, “We were surprised just how many people didn’t know about this case.”  It’s going to take leg work like this to keep getting the word out.  Right now, there are digital billboards in place as far north as Atlanta, Georgia, and throughout many main cities in Florida.  Sgt. Pascarellea says a new billboard company just contacted them this week to offer some space on their billboards in other area. 

  • Share/Bookmark

Manhunt for Paul Merhige

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Paul Merhige (photo updated Oct. 2009)

Paul Merhige (photo updated Oct. 2009)

It’s been three weeks today since the deadly Thanksgiving shooting that took the lives of four family members in Jupiter, FL.  Investigators believe Paul Merhige is the one responsible for the murders, and he is charged him with four counts of first degree murder.  I spoke with Sgt. Scott Pascarella this morning, and he says investigators from his region, including the United States Marshals and the FBI are all on board to tracking Merhige.  They’ve received well over 180 tips, and 90% of those leads are exhausted.  Authorities even searched the pond behind the house where the shooting took place three times looking for evidence. “We don’t want the fire to burn out,” Sgt. Pascarella told me.  He also says Merhige is traveling with four weapons, two handguns and a .308 Remington Rifle, and one other unknown gun.  None of the weapons have been located, and neither has the 2007 Blue Toyota Camry Merhige was last seen driving.  Merhige does posses a concealed weapons permit, and investigators know the handguns were purchased weeks before the shooting, and the rifle was bought the day before.  Just recently, throughout Miami, investigators canvassed new posters in Spanish and Creole throughout to the public.  Sgt. Pascarella says, “We were surprised just how many people didn’t know about this case.”  It’s going to take leg work like this to keep getting the word out.  Right now, there are digital billboards in place as far north as Atlanta, Georgia, and throughout many main cities in Florida.  Sgt. Pascarellea says a new billboard company just contacted them this week to offer some space on their billboards in other area. 

  • Share/Bookmark

U.S. Marshals TOP 15 – NEWEST ADDITION

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
The United States Marshals service recently announced their latest addition to their TOP 15 most wanted.  Paul Michael Merhige is on this list for his alleged part in killing his family members after Thanksgiving dinner.
Paul Merhige Wanted

Paul Merhige Wanted

Paul Merhige is wanted for four counts of first degree murder.  Authorities say, this horrific event played out Thanksgiving night just after dinner.  Cops say invited guest, Paul Michael Merhige, 35, left the house, and came back at 10 p.m. with a handgun to kill.  Some of the victims include his own innocent 6-year-old cousin who was sleeping in her bed at the time.  Police say Merhige also allegedly shot and killed his twin 33-year-old sisters, and his 76-year-old aunt.  Investigators have learned through a series of interviews that Merhige does have on-going resentment towards some of the family members, but no one can begin to understand why he would take the lives of these innocent victims. Police say 17 relatives were inside the residence when gunfire erupted.  The youngest victim, Makayla Sitton was sound asleep in her bed when she was shot and killed.  Makayla was the daughter of WPTV Journalist, Jim Sitton. Investigators say the other victims include Merhige’s own twin sisters, Carla Merhige, Lisa Knight, 33, and Raymonde Joseph, 79, Merhige’s aunt. Lisa was pregnant at the time she was killed.  Authorities say two others were shot and wounded; Patrick Knight, Merhige’s brother-in-law, and Clifford Gebara, a cousin were taken to the hospital.  Thankfully, both will survive their injuries.   

  • Share/Bookmark

U.S. Marshal TOP 15 nabbed

Monday, December 7th, 2009
Aracade Comeaux Caught

Aracade Comeaux Caught

CHILD RAPIST ESCAPEE NABBED

Arcade Joseph Comeaux, most recent addition to the United States Marshals TOP 15 Most Wanted, was caught earlier this morning in Houston, Texas.  Investigators say he was armed with two pistols at the time of his arrest.

BACKGROUND:

Arcade Joseph Comeaux was housed in the highest level of custody inside the Estelle Unit in Huntsville, Texas.  This means he did not have contact with other prisoners, and is secluded inside his cell 23 out of 24 hours a day, so the question is how did he get a gun?  That is exactly what investigators are trying to figure out as they piece together Comeaux’s daring escape and track down this dangerous criminal. Officials say Comeaux gained access to a pistol, held up two officers, and fled.On Monday, November 30, 2009, officials say Comeaux took two transport officers from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice hostage with a gun.  Officials say Comeaux was being transported from one facility to another at 4:45 a.m. when he brandished a pistol and ordered the officers to drive south to Baytown, Texas.  He was apparently shackled, sitting in his wheelchair at the time, and he even fired the weapon once in the van.  Officials say when they arrived in Baytown at the parking lot of an abandoned hospital, Comeaux handcuffed the officers together, stole one of their uniforms, and put men in the back of the van.  For some reason Comeaux left his pistol behind, but was able to snatch the other officers weapons (12-gague shotgun and two semiautomatic pistols). Thankfully the officers were found unharmed.  Officials say they will conduct a serious incident review to determine how Comeaux was able to obtain a firearm inside of their facility.

  • Share/Bookmark