Captured

Though it was the Thermopolis Police Department that made the collar on Jeremy Breeden Friday afternoon, it really was a community effort that helped to capture the fugitive.

The hunt for Breeden began on Monday, April 23, when local law enforcement were notified he could be in the area. Along with his brother, Cody, and a third unidentified subject, Breeden was wanted in connection with the attempted murder of 19-year-old Trenton Penn of Minneapolis, Kan., who was found a hotel in Junction City, Kan. on March 29. According to the Junction City Police Department, Cody was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Fremont County.

Jeremy, however, remained on the run for nearly a week. Thermopolis Police provided regular information as the search continued, though as days passed with no official word of whether Jeremy was located, tension seemed to build and questions came about as to whether the man would actually be located or if he was even still in town. Residents made sure to keep their homes and vehicles locked, and that they had something to protect themselves if the need arose.

Thermopolis Police Chief Steve Shay said they were advised by the U.S. Marshals that a subject wanted in Kansas was in the community in a particular home. The occupant, Shay said, was arrested and gave consent for police, the marshals and Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office to search the home but there was no sign of Breeden. However, during a subsequent search of the home stolen weapons and drugs were located and an individual was subsequently arrested.

Shay did not disclose who was arrested or who the homeowner was, as those matters are still under active investigation.

As the week continued, Shay said the department received multiple reports of people seeing Breeden and officers searched several homes, businesses and areas around town. On Friday morning, they received word of an individual matching the description of the fugitive had been sighted by someone, that he approached a person at their home and asked to use their phone, and the person threatened to call the police.

The subject left and was last seen heading west in the direction of the Cody loop highway. Members of the Thermopolis Police Department, Hot Springs County Search and Rescue, Hot Springs County Sheriff's Office and the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department began a search of the area and went door to door checking homes. Among the tools used in the search was thermal imaging equipment from the fire department.

Meanwhile, those with scanners listened intently to the traffic coming across for any word as to what was happening. Some of those listening kept their eyes on the western horizon for any signs of movement, while others kept their firearms close at hand.

Shay said in searching nearby homes they found many doors that were unsecured, and while there were reports of subjects found in homes it was not who they were looking for.

Hot Springs County School District No. 1 also did its part, putting school buildings on low-level lockdowns to ensure students and staff were safe and sending out messages so parents knew where they could pick up their kids.

Finally, at about 3:50 p.m. Friday, Breeden was spotted near an old stone water tank off North 12th Street. Officers responded and took him into custody without incident. Shay noted Breeden was provided water, and though he looked worse for wear he didn't have any injuries that required hospitalization.

As of Wednesday Breeden was still in custody at Hot Springs County Jail. County Attorney Jerry Williams reported Breeden has waived extradition and Shay said he was not doing any further investigation of him and he had no business asking questions of Breeden. The police chief further added he wants the fugitive gone and is not pressing charges as anything that could be put on him locally would "pale in comparison" to what he's facing in Kansas.

It was a very long week, Shay and Police Sergeant Pat Cornwell agreed, as they both were up for over 27 hours from Monday into Tuesday when the first advisories from the U.S. Marshals came in. Shay noted they remained vigilant until they knew for sure he was caught, and at one time they had to let the pressure up to bring Breeden out of hiding.

In addition to working with local agencies, Shay and Cornwell noted they also worked with the Worland Police Department as they had learned Breeden might have contacts in that town. Both officers were appreciative of the other agencies, and Cornwell said it was nice to have so much help in apprehending Breeden.