In a lucky twist of fate, a man wanted for murdering a South Carolina college student last year was arrested in St. Croix with the help of an anonymous tipster who recognized the suspect from "America's Most Wanted."
Sama Chaka Quinland, 21, was arrested on July 27 after a year on the run for the murder of 19-year-old DeAndre Fulton-Smith. Fulton-Smith, a business student at Spartanburg Community College in upstate South Carolina, was found dead at his apartment in July 2011.
"America's Most Wanted" initially aired the story back in March. According to WYFF, an anonymous individual in the Virgin Islands was browsing the the show's online fugitive list and recognized Quinland.
"Anytime 'America's Most Wanted' has anything to do with a capture, it's a great feeling," said Angeline Hartmann, a producer for the show, in an interview with WYFF.
Quinland was found and arrested in a low-income housing complex in St. Croix. He did not resist arrest.
Police believe Quinland, who was living in Greenville, S.C. at the time of the murder, met Fulton-Smith met on a website for men seeking men -- a source which Quinland used often.
Arrest warrants confirm that after murdering Fulton-Smith, Quinland stole a television and other electronic equipment from the apartment. The stolen items were later found in a pawn shop, and traced back to Quinland's sister, Shaphon Quinland, and her boyfriend Michael Choice.
Shaphon Quinland and Michael Choice were charged last summer with accessory after the fact of murder. The warrant for their arrest explained that two were aware of Quinland's crime and were helping him avoid the consequences.
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright expressed his satisfaction over Quinland's long-awaited arrest in a written statement.
"This is yet another example of how criminals don't have a chance when law enforcement and the community work together," he said.
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