A New York fugitive, considered “armed and dangerous,” was captured on Sunday, ending an extensive search that involved the FBI and various police departments across the state. Thomas David Ryan, 32, was apprehended in the Gilboa area of Schoharie County, as announced by New York State Police.
The search for Ryan began after authorities discovered his father, Robert Ryan, 70, deceased in his burning home in Greenville on Thursday evening. Investigations revealed that the fire had been set deliberately, leading police to classify the incident as a homicide. Ryan’s capture concludes a significant manhunt that sought him for days following this discovery.
The case commenced around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when state troopers responded to a house fire on Greenville Turnpike in Orange County.
Following the extinguishing of the fire by firefighters, Robert Ryan was identified as the victim. Authorities soon began a focused search for Thomas David Ryan, who did not reside with his father and had no apparent connections to the Greenville area.
Ryan was believed to have fled in a gray 2016 Toyota Prius belonging to his father. Law enforcement described him consistently as “armed and dangerous.” They urged people who might encounter him to contact emergency services immediately without approaching.
The search involved extensive checks of surveillance footage from local homes and businesses to trace Ryan’s whereabouts. Residents in Greenville and surrounding areas were encouraged to review recordings taken from around 6 p.m. on Thursday through to the following morning.
Investigators discovered that Ryan had stayed in shelters across New York and frequently visited the Plattsburgh area, over 200 miles from Greenville. They coordinated with rail operators due to his known travel patterns by train.
The case drew the involvement of multiple agencies, including the FBI, NYPD, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and police from Middletown and Port Jervis, among other agencies at the state and county levels.
Authorities have yet to disclose any potential motive or the specific charges Thomas Ryan will face.