Manhunt for Alleged California Murderer Leads to NH

CONCORD, NH - A California man is being housed in the Merrimack County House of Corrections fighting extradition to face a murder charge after he allegedly bludgeoning a man, hiding his body, fleeing the state, and then being arrested in Concord this week, according to court documents.

Joshua Richard Ruoff, 30, of South Lake Tahoe, CA, was arrested on May 23, 2016, for being a fugitive from justice.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord District Court and Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link, which explains New Hampshire Patch's police log name removal policy.

According to court documents, sheriffs form the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department were sent to the Charlie Hurt Highway in Covelo, CA, on May 18, 2016, for a report of a possible physical attack at the home the day before.

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When they arrived, at just after 7 p.m., deputies reportedly found physical evidence that indicated a crime had occurred at the home. The occupant of the home – Timothy Sweeting – was also missing.

During the investigation of the crime, witnesses alleged that they saw Ruoff allegedly assaulting Sweeting with a blunt object. A missing person investigation was initiated by sheriffs to find Sweeting but he had had no recent contact with family or friends since the assault. Sweeting’s 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe and Ruoff himself were also missing, according to sheriffs. More evidence was taken from the home, with the district attorney’s office and criminalists from the state processing the crime scene.

The next day, Sweeting’s Tahoe was located parked on the side of the road about a mile from the home. Sheriffs also learned that Ruoff had rented a U-Haul truck and left the state, with a possible plan to head to New Hampshire where he had lived previously. California detectives then reached out to the New Hampshire State Police major crimes unit for assistance.

“The investigation continued and evidence was gathered, including witness statements and physical evidence that supported the belief that Ruoff had murdered Sweeting and disposed of his body,” according to Detective Sergeant Andrew Porter of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

The DA’s office in Mendocino County issued an arrest warrant for a murder charge against Ruoff on May 23, 2016, and that same day, he was arrested by New Hampshire State Police at the U-Haul on Stickney Avenue in Concord.

Detectives from California traveled to New Hampshire that day and for two days, worked on the case with the help of the New Hampshire State Police, including search warrants that were issued in the case.

“During the two days in New Hampshire, additional evidence was gathered to support the belief Ruoff had murdered Sweeting,” Porter said in a statement. “Ruoff was booked into the Merrimack County Jail where he was to be held on a no bail status. Ruoff was challenging extradition to Mendocino County and the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office is working on getting him extradited to Mendocino County.”

Detectives are also still looking for the remains of Sweeting, which have not been located.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Mendocino County Sheriff's Office at 707-463-4089, or call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Tip line at 707-234-2100.