Homicide Suspect Apprehended By Dulles Airport Customs Officers

DULLES, VA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a New York City man wanted on suspicion of homicide Saturday at Washington Dulles International Airport, according to a press release.

On Saturday, Feb. 29, at 5 p.m., Customs officials apprehended Luis Gustavo Sanchez Arenales, 19, of New York City, before he could board a Mexico-bound flight at the airport.

According to police, Sanchez Arenales was arrested in connection with the Feb. 12 shooting death of social worker Purcell Gowie in East Harlem, N.Y.

“This arrest illustrates the seamless collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement as we captured a fleeing murder suspect and will bring him before a court of law to stand before his charges,” said Anne Maricich, CBP’s acting director of field operations, Baltimore Field Office, in the release. “Customs and Border Protection contributes our unique border security authority to identify and arrest dangerous fugitives at our ports of entry and return them to justice. It’s one way in which CBP helps to keep our country and our citizens safe.”

During 2019, Customs officers apprehended 23 wanted persons, amassed a total of 2,354 apprehensions, and made 790 refusals of inadmissible persons at U.S. ports of entry.