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Gintaras Petrikas Charged With EBSW Embezzlement Arrested In California

May 4, 2004

The United States Embassy in Vilnius is pleased to announce that the FBI apprehended Lithuanian Fugitive Gintaras Petrikas in Los Angeles, California on 2-3 May 2004.  Petrikas was arrested pursuant to an extradition request from the Republic of Lithuania.  

Petrikas’ capture was the result of intensive cooperation and information-sharing between Lithuanian law enforcement agencies, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Lithuanian Prosecutor General’s Office, the U.S. Embassy and the FBI.  Petrikas used numerous false identities to enter and live in the United States, complicating law enforcement’s extensive manhunt.  The FBI and U.S. Marshall’s Service determination in following up numerous leads eventually led to his final location.

The capture of Petrikas demonstrates once again the excellent cooperation between our countries and the apprehension serves notice to criminals that fleeing to the United States will not allow them to evade justice.  The U.S. Ambassador and U.S. Embassy placed great importance on efforts to locate and arrest Petrikas.  Regional Security Attaché Brent Barker and Consular Officer Ruta Elvikis worked closely with Lithuanian and the United States authorities to coordinate efforts to locate and arrest Petrikas.   

Petrikas has been wanted by Lithuanian law enforcement officials since 1997 when he was ordered arrested for stealing over US $10 million of investor’s money.  Petrikas will be held awaiting a court hearing on Lithuania’s extradition request.