A alledged child molester who was on the run for two years was shot dead by the New York Police Department and U.S. Marshals in Greenwich Village Monday afternoon.
Charles Mozdir, 32, was accused of molesting the 7-year-old son of his friend and was arrested in 2012. He sought bail and left town before his arraignment. Mozdir managed to evade the police for two 2 years.
The victim had told his parents that Mozdir touched his private parts when he was at the house helping care for him when he was ill with a high fever, reports CNN.
The police were able to find him after his story was broadcast on a crime busting show, "The Hunt". They were tipped off about his location by an anonymous caller. "After the Sunday re-air, another tip came in that gave more info, leading authorities to Mozdirk," a spokeswoman for the show, Karen Reynolds, told The Los Angeles Times. The detectives tracked Mozdir to the Smoking Culture smoke shop on West 4th Street where he worked.
Gunfire broke out in the store and two U.S. marshals and a NYPD detective were shot. Police recovered a .32 caliber handgun from the scene and 20 bullets from Mozdir's pockets, Bratton said, reports Reuters.
All three officers were rushed to Bellevue hospital and are in stable condition, according to the Police Commissioner.
Child molestation charges against him were filed in San Diego, California, NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said at a press conference.
Police have now reopened West 4th street; however, the area around the shop will remain closed for further investigation.
