When Hells Angel Paul Merle Eischeid fled the country following the 2001 kidnapping and murder of Cynthia Garcia, he didn't do it alone, authorities say -- he had help from a Mesa man.
Tuesday morning, U.S. Marshals arrested 43-year-old Robert Tutokey at his home near Power and Brown roads in Mesa, accusing him of helping Eischeid flee the United States after the murder.
It's unclear whether Tutokey also is a member of the Hells Angels.
According to federal authorities, Tutokey applied for and obtained a passport in his name, which he gave to Eischeid, allowing him to flee the country in 2004.
Eischeid is suspected in the 2001 kidnapping and murder of Garcia.
According to authorities, Garcia was attacked while at a party at the Hell's Angels' clubhouse in Mesa after "mouthing off" to a few bikers. She was beaten, thrown inside the trunk of a car, and taken to the desert, where she was stabbed and left for dead.
"Eischeid's crimes were horrendous and his potential for continued violence made his arrest a priority for the U.S. Marshals," Stacia A. Hylton, director of the U.S. Marshal Service said in a statement following Eischeid's arrest. "His capture is both significant and rewarding, and we thank our domestic and international partners for their tireless persistence in bringing this fugitive to justice."
In 2003, Eischeid was charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for drug trafficking and RICO violations, including kidnapping and murder. Several other Hells Angels also were
indicted.
However, in addition to being a member of the Hells Angels, Eischeid, 39, is a former Charles Schwab stockbroker with a "relatively clean criminal record." Because he didn't appear to be a flight risk, he was released on his own recognizance and placed on federal pretrial release with electronic monitoring in 2003.
During their investigation, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives learned Eischeid probably was involved in Garcia's murder. However, after hew was released from custody, Eischeid removed the monitoring device and fled the country.
He's been on the run ever since, and in 2007, he was listed amongst the U.S. Marshals' 15 most wanted.
Eischeid faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Garcia.
