Police confirm arrest of 43-year-old man in I-96 corridor roadway shootings
AP photo
- Related: MEDIA REPORTS: Police believe suspect in custody is the only one responsible for I-96 shootings
This story has been updated with information from a report in the Detroit Free Press revealing the man's name.
A 43-year-old Wixom man was arrested in connection with the I-96 corridor shootings reported in Oakland, Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee counties the past few weeks, police confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
A news release issued Tuesday by the task force comprised of the 10 law enforcement agencies investigating the 24 shootings, said the man drove a vehicle witnesses have described to police.
"The arrest was the result of information derived during the investigation over the past few days," the release said.
The Detroit Free Press is reporting the man's name is Raulie Wayne Casteel. According to the report, Casteel may suffer from mental illness.
Members of the task force arrested Casteel at his residence Monday night after a search warrant was executed in Wixom in the area of Loon Lake Road and Kings Crown Court, MLive reported. This corroborates earlier media reports that indicated police executed a search warrant at the home Monday.
"Potential evidence has been seized during this arrest and will be evaluated by our crime laboratories," the release continued. "Additionally, the suspect is known to have driven a vehicle matching the vehicle description provided by one of the victims."
Authorities were not releasing any more information pending more investigation. Prosecutors from four counties and the U.S. Attorney's Office will also have to look into the evidence to determine possible charges, according to the release.
MLive reported that while a press conference related to the arrest has not been announced, Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth said he will be available to receive questions from the media at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Police have already sifted through more than 2,800 tips. Regardless, the task force encourages citizens to report any information leading to potential suspects.
Anonymous tips can be reported to 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Tips can also be reported to any local police agency. There is a $102,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Police said they think Casteel was using a handgun. Evidence has been collected linking nine of the shootings to the same gun. One victim suffered a nonfatal gunshot wound to the buttocks. Authorities believe Casteel was shooting from a moving vehicle in most of the reported instances, according to MLive.
Comments
smokeblwr
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 11:30 a.m.
Per the Detroit News this morning, Mr. Casteel was pro-gun and anti-government. Gee, what a surprise! Oh, and he graduated from MSU.
Rose Garden
Thu, Nov 8, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
What does this imply? You should have said, "He graduated from college."
Joe Hood
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 4:56 a.m.
How does this guy not have a Facebook or LinkedIn page? Weird.
shipdog7
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 11:27 p.m.
A gun also was seized, said Donald Dawkins, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Detroit office. His car -- which matches the description of the black four-door vehicle believed to have been used in 24 shootings across four counties since Oct. 16 -- was seized, said Michigan State Police Capt. Monica Yesh. From Freep
YouAreNotAlwaysRight
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
So you can't post his name but you can post a picture of the house with the address displayed?
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 6:38 a.m.
The story has been updated. Please note that although online research like reverse searches can provide potential names, but you never know who else not officially listed on record may be residing at the home and we do not want to make assumptions in our report.
Fatkitty
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
reverse look-up, address...... but who cares..... hopefully they picked up the right guy, no matter what his name is....
28's..andtheydon'trub
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
House, address, vehicles... Silly reporters I got an awesome program on the computer that allowed me zoom in on the plate numbers... Bet I can beat AA.com to identifying this guy
nickcarraweigh
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
Did he vote absentee first?
Wondering
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 12:41 a.m.
Ann English: It depends on which state you live in if you are a convicted felon. http://www.aclu.org/map-state-felony-disfranchisement-laws#text
Ann English
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
If he is the one police have been looking for, doesn't a conviction make him a felon? Felons can't vote for the rest of their lives.
28's..andtheydon'trub
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
Best comment today haha!!
28's..andtheydon'trub
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
I say high five to the citizen involved in tips, clues, etc... I also say charge this guy with terrorism. Why not when events and routes have had to be changed just for people to feel safer?
28's..andtheydon'trub
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
citizens, sorry for the oops
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
as others have said...I hope he is the guy...and the only guy.
oldguy
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
Let`s hope this is the guy and will end this particular binge of madness
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
agreed
music to my ear
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
thank God may the people in that area have a great holiday imagine, the fear driving in that area.
RJA
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
I hope this is the idiot, and the search will be over. (As well as the election)
John Counts
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
Hi FrankOZ. Police haven't released any pictures or info on whether the man arrested resembles the sketch. It's the general policy of police to not release a booking picture until after a suspect is arraigned on charges.
Honest Abe
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
If this is the right guy, kudos to everyone who brought this piece of trash to justice.
FrankOZ
Tue, Nov 6, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
Do you know if he appears to resemble the sketch connected to the shootings?
Tlmk75
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
There's a picture of him now on mlive!