Fugitive in British Heist Arrested in Missouri After 19 Years

(NewsCore) - A fugitive wanted for a $1.6 million raid on a security van in the UK was arrested in Ozark, Mo., after more than 19 years on the lam.

Former security guard "Fast" Eddie Maher is accused of stealing 50 bags filled with coins and notes from the armored vehicle in Felixstowe, Suffolk in eastern England, in January 1993 while the driver was making a bank delivery.

Maher was said to have immediately flown to the US following the robbery.

But his two-decade disappearing act ended Wednesday when he was picked up by Ozark police following a tip-off.

The FBI confirmed Maher is being held on immigration charges, while officials await details of outstanding warrants from British police in relation to the 1993 heist.

Ozark Police Chief Lyle Hodges told KSPR that Maher had lived in the area for at least a year, under a different name, while working for a cable company. Neighbors said he was living under the alias "Mike Maher."

His son, Lee King, staunchly defended his father, despite admitting he knew nothing of his alleged criminal past.

"My dad is one of the nicest guys you'll meet, he's only ever done what's good for us," King told KSPR. "I just don't want people to see him in a bad light for something he did 20 years ago."

King added, "There's no way he'd ever do this by choice. He wouldn't just do it to do it, he doesn't commit crimes, and he's the one that gets me out of trouble."

Suffolk Police said it is liaising with the US authorities.