WEST NORRITON — A 20-year-old man wanted for murder in Washington state was arrested here Monday night, police said yesterday, after it was learned that he had been staying at his grandparents' Liberty Avenue home for nearly a week.
Police said Jeffrey Bickle walked out of the house about 9 p.m. and surrendered to 15 officers from the Montgomery County Emergency Response Team waiting outside. He was taken to the county prison to await an extradition hearing that has not yet been scheduled.
The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office contacted West Norriton police Monday night after hearing that Bickle had called a friend in Washington from his grandparents' house, police said. A warrant for Bickle's arrest had been issued Friday.
West Norriton Lt. Joseph Boccella said a negotiator called Bickle shortly before 9 p.m. and told him that police were there to arrest him.
``About 10 minutes later, [Bickle] came walking out,'' Boccella said. ``It usually takes much more time than that. It's highly unusual, especially on a homicide warrant.''
Kitsap County Detective Ray Stroble said yesterday that Bickle and a 16-year-old boy allegedly robbed and strangled Douglas Hanson, 70, in mid-March. Stroble said Hanson, who was an invalid, was found dead March 15 in his apartment in Silverdale, about 60 miles west of Seattle.
``There were witnesses that saw these two leaving, and there were statements made by both of them about this crime,'' Stroble said. ``They got away with some cigarettes and a gun.''
Police believe that Bickle, who was raised by his grandparents in West Norriton, may have taken a bus east to their home.
Stroble said police arrested the 16-year-old boy March 31.
