A phoned-in tip helped authorities arrest an inmate who escaped from a Mississippi sheriff and then evaded an eight-day manhunt in Alabama where he was sought in the killing of a police officer.
Mario Centobie was arrested on Sunday near the Mississippi-Alabama state line, 260 miles from where he had been sought by hundreds of authorities in the slaying of Moody, Ala., police officer Keith Turner. Turner was killed June 27.Alabama state trooper Cpl. Damon Summers said Centobie, 32, apparently sneaked past searchers Saturday night and carjacked a motorist. Later the driver escaped with his car near the state line, Summers said.
Mississippi authorities received a phone call Sunday morning from someone who said Centobie was at the Mississippi Welcome Center. It was unclear if the driver made the call.
Meanwhile, police said Centobie talked a family of tourists into giving him a ride in their van to Gulfport. Police caught up with the van soon afterward and arrested him.
The family did not know Centobie was wanted.