COCONUT GROVE, Fla. – A fugitive who was wanted on sexual assault charges was found and arrested Wednesday in South Florida.
According to the U.S. Marshall Officer Barry Golden, Robert Joseph Van Gundy and wife Arielle Van Gundy were arrested at Pier 4 in the Dinner Key Marina at 3400 Pan American Drive in Coconut Grove where the Van Gundy's had a boat.
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Robert Van Gundy was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Wednesday night. He will be extradited back to Arizona to face the charges there.
"We had information from the Marshalls in Arizona that he purchased a boat here and was believed to be attempting to flee to the Bahamas at some point in time," Golden said. "He was trying to learn how to sail the boat. We surprised them. They had no idea we were here. They had no idea that we knew they were here. The element of surprise is on our part. We snuck up on them and arrested them without incident."
The couple was heavily armed and Arielle did not have a concealed weapons permit for a gun she had in her purse.
"There was a concern for law enforcement since Mr. Van Gundy was believed to be in possession of a cache of weapons and ammunition," Golden said.
Robert is facing 17 counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and luring a minor for sexual exploitation.
"Arizona police said they (the Van Gundy's) are anti-government anti-law enforcement people with a strong hatred for law enforcement," Golden said.
Robert and Arielle are both being held in Dade County Jail.
Arielle is expected in Dade bond court Thursday.