Minneapolis fugitive caught in Costa Rica

Man had warrants for his arrest in three counties.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: December 19, 2007 - 7:59 PM

A Minneapolis man wanted on at least three outstanding warrants in Hennepin, Dakota and Wadena counties has been arrested in Costa Rica, the Minnesota Fugitive Task Force said.

Authorities arrested Charles Boyd Edward Vance around 9:30 a.m. Monday in Jaco, Costa Rica. He had been living in the Central American country using a counterfeit Mexican passport, the task force said.

Vance, 41, was wanted on a first-degree controlled substance charge filed in July 2000 in Dakota County. A federal complaint filed in August 2003 charged Vance with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

He also had warrants for his arrest from Wadena County for second-degree burglary and forced entry into a residence, and from Hennepin County for possession of a controlled substance.

The task force was able to track Vance to Costa Rica. With the help of Costa Rican authorities, the U.S. State Department's Regional Security Office and the FBI in Minneapolis and Panama City, he was located in Jaco and taken into custody.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768

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