COCONUT GROVE, Fla. – A 29-year-old man wanted on sexual assault charges in Arizona waived his right to extradition Thursday after police arrested him and his wife in Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood.
Authorities in Arizona have until September 13 to pick up Robert Van Gundy from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in west Miami-Dade County while his wife has already gotten out of jail after being given a $5,000 bond.
U.S. Marshals arrested Van Gundy and his wife, Arielle Van Gundy, at the Dinner Key Marina on Wednesday night. An arrest warrant was issued Aug. 14 for Robert Van Gundy after he failed to appear in Yavapai County Superior Court in Prescott.
Prosecutors say he was scheduled to stand trial on several charges including luring a minor for sexual exploitation and sexual conduct with a minor.
"We had information from the Marshals in Arizona that he purchased a boat here and was believed to be attempting to flee to the Bahamas at some point in time," U.S. Marshal Barry 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."
Robert told Marshals he had not planned to be taken in alive.
"It's a very serious case, and a subject who is armed here in the marina with a lot of families and children around so it's a very dangerous situation," Golden said.
Police charged Arielle Van Gundy, 28, with carrying gun without a concealed weapons permit. Marshals found it hidden in her purse, investigators said.
Arielle Van Gundy told Judge Maria Elena Verde that they had been in Miami for about a month. Federal authorities removed at least six boxes of weapons from the boat Thursday.
"There was a concern for law enforcement since Mr. Van Gundy was believed to be in possession of a cache of weapons and ammunition," said Golden. "Arizona police said they (the Van Gundy's) are anti-government anti-law enforcement people with a strong hatred for law enforcement."
The Van Gundy's did have three dogs that have been taken into custody of Animal Control.