Decades-long evasion ends over missing bicycle reflector
A routine traffic stop in West Des Moines, Iowa, led to the capture of George Hartleroad, a convicted rapist who had been on the run for nearly three decades. The 71-year-old fugitive was stopped by police for a missing rear reflector on his bicycle.
During the stop, Hartleroad provided a false name, “Gregory Stallins,” and a fake social security number. Police body camera footage shows Hartleroad, claiming to be homeless and without a driver’s license since its last issuance in Florida. Despite repeated attempts to verify his information, the officer found discrepancies and released him.
Face recognition and confession
Thirty minutes later, the officer located Hartleroad again, requesting a face recognition photo to verify his identity. Under pressure, Hartleroad admitted he was not “Gregory Stallins” and revealed his true identity. It was discovered that he had been on the run since escaping a halfway house in Wisconsin in 1995 after being convicted of rape.
One officer noted the astonishing duration of Hartleroad’s evasion, remarking that he had been on the run longer than some of the officers had been alive. Hartleroad expressed frustration over his lengthy evasion and impending capture.
Hartleroad was arrested and is now in custody under the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, concluding a bizarre and lengthy period of evasion.
