RICHARDS ARRESTED IN MEXICO CITY - Fugitive Killed One-Year-Old In Parkersburg

(09/24/2014)
UPDATE - Fugitive Curtis Dean Richards, 30, of Parkersburg, has been arrested and taken into custody in Mexico City. Richards has been wanted for the murder of his girlfriend's one-year-old baby, the object of an expansive media campaign to find his whereabouts.

Parkersburg's Police Chief compared it to finding a needle in a hay stack.

Richards had acquaintances in several West Virginia communities.

Curtis Richards, Jr. is now in jail in Mexico.

With cooperation between Parkersburg detectives and the help of the FBI, Richards, was found in a Mexican marketplace.

He now faces additional charges for evading authorities.

Two Parkersburg detectives say Richards, Jr. needed money while in Mexico and they had a plan to find him.

"Basically the detectives came up with an idea and it worked. It worked well, as far as to lure him out of hiding and where he was at. Without that plan I don't think we would've found him as quickly as we did," said Parkersburg Chief Martin.

Police say the $2,000 reward offered for Richards' capture was an incentive for more cooperation and the reward was given.

Curtis Dean Richards, II

ORIGINAL STORY - The man wanted for the murder in Parkersburg of his girlfriend's one-year-old daughter could be in several other WV cities.

Now, a reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

Parkersburg Police are looking for Curtis Dean Richards, II, 30, of St. Marys.

Richards is accused of killing Ariella Noel Merinar earlier this month.

Police say the autopsy showed the infant suffered severe head and neck injuries.

Richards originally told police that Ariella was choked to death by her 2-year-old sister.

Police say Richards is believed to have associates in Beckley, St. Marys, Huntington and other WV towns.

Richards was last seen driving a 1994 black Toyota single cab truck with W.Va. registration 4XA886. Police say there is a large amount of primer on the truck.

Police say Richards has access to firearms and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts, or information that could lead to his arrest should contact Detective K.M. Day or Detective L.R. Board at the Parkersburg Police Dept. (304-424-8440 or 304-424-8444).