Richfield man who skipped trial is arrested at O'Hare

Star Tribune

Last update: October 24, 2009 - 12:24 AM

A 36-year-old Richfield man charged with making terroristic threats during an argument with another man in Wright County has been arrested at Chicago's O'Hare Airport after skipping out before his trial was to begin this month, authorities in Minnesota said Friday.

Ismail Alqawasmi remains in custody after his arrest at 8 p.m. Thursday, the Wright County Sheriff's Office said.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Alqawasmi and another man argued at a residence on Jan. 18, 2008, and Alqawasmi made some threats. His jury trial was scheduled for Oct. 5, but he failed to show up. A warrant for his arrest was issued three days later.

The Chicago-Sun Times reported that Alqawasmi flew into the United States from Amman, Jordan, on Royal Jordanian Airlines, and a customs official conducting a name check found the warrant on a law enforcement database, according to police. Alqawasmi was searched and had a Jordanian passport that was being held by U.S. Customs, police told the newspaper.

Alqawasmi was expected to appear before a Cook County judge Friday and could soon be headed back to Wright County, the Sheriff's Office said.

PAUL WALSH

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