David Hamilton
Credit: Lower Southampton police
UPDATED: 12:36 p.m., Friday:
Law enforcement said they received a tip that 47-year-old David Hamilton was at a home in the 100 block of Roberts Road in Aston, Delaware County, on Friday morning. Members of the U.S. Marshal Service’s Fugitive Task Force and the Aston Police Department responded to the scene.
Hamilton was found hiding in a second-floor bedroom closet and was arrested without incident.
The home, according to authorities, is suspected of belonging to one of Hamilton’s family members.
“This sexual predator placed the community in significant danger. We are extremely glad we were able to bring Mr. Hamilton in custody without incident and in a timely manner,” Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark said.
Original Post:
The man who sparked an extensive search that involved local and federal law enforcement was captured Friday morning.
An official from the U.S. Marshal Service confirmed to NewtownPANow.com that David Hamilton, 47, was arrested in Aston, Delaware County.
He was wanted by Lower Southampton police for the alleged rape and multiple sexual assaults on children. He ended up fleeing authorities and was spotted in Morrisville last Friday before traveling to Central Bucks County and fighting with a New Hope police officer later in the day. Hamilton tried to take the officer’s weapon and ended up fleeing into nearby wooded areas, authorities said.
Despite stepped up patrols and an on-the-ground manhunt, Hamilton remained on the lam. He was linked to a car stolen from Solebury earlier in the week and on Thursday authorities said they had information he was in Delaware the day before.
At a press conference on Tuesday, police said Hamilton had purchased a tent earlier this month at the Target store on East Lincoln Highway in Middletown and may have used to it to camp while hiding.
The children who were allegedly sexually assaulted by Hamilton have been removed from their Lower Southampton homes until Hamilton was found, Lower Southampton Chief Ted Krimmel said.
Meredeth Custodio, 58, of Philadelphia, was charged earlier this week with aiding Hamilton as he fled police in Solebury. Custodio was working as a home health aide in the township.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
