A Massachusetts man who was on the run after attacking a dog and a woman walking it in September has been captured in Pennsylvania.
Massachusetts State Police say 45-year-old Thomas Vargus was arrested Sunday in the town of Marcus Hook after authorities developed leads that indicated he was living with a member of the Pagan Outlaws motorcycle gang with whom he had previously served federal prison time with.
Vargus, who had a shaved head at the time of the attack, has tattoos covering his face, neck, and top of his head; however, police say he had grown in his hair and was growing facial hair in an apparent attempt to cover his tattoos.
Authorities say on Sept. 18, Vargus walked up to a woman walking a dog on Church Street in Taunton when he suddenly pulled out a machete and started to stab the dog and hit the woman with the machete, injuring her. Witnesses were able to intervene and save both the woman and the dog while Vargus ran away from the scene.
Both the woman and the dog survived the attack.
Vargus, who has previously been convicted of federal narcotics charges, was charged as a fugitive from justice in Marcus Hook, and is expected to be extradited back to Massachusetts to face animal cruelty and assault and battery charges in Bristol County.
It's unclear if he has an attorney.
U.S. & World
Authorities say the man Vargus was staying with, Glen Turner, remains on federal parole.
