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Iowa police nab Wisconsin fugitive who’s been at large almost 30 years

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August 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa/Wisconsin Radio Network) – A felon who walked away from a Madison, Wisconsin halfway house in 1994 has been captured in Iowa.  Seventy-one-year-old George Hartleroad was convicted of rape in Chippewa County in 1983. Several weeks ago, Hartleroad was busted in West Des Moines, for not having a rear reflector on his bicycle. Police say he first gave a fake name, eventually gave his real name, and cops quickly learned he was on the run.

In body-cam footage, a police officer is heard saying, “We don’t know if Wisconsin wants you yet or not,” and Hartleroad replies, “Yeah, you will want me.” Turns out, the state of Wisconsin -does- want him. Hartleroad is now in the Dane County jail. By the way, in West Des Moines, the locals knew him as Homeless Greg.

West Des Moines Police Dept. photo