NHP Trooper Talks About Fugitive's Arrest
 
Adrian Arambulo, Reporter
KLAS TV Channel 8 - Las Vegas
 
The Nevada Highway Patrol trooper who initially stopped Warren Jeffs says he knew almost from the start that something was wrong. He says the man, who later turned out to be Jeffs, was very nervous.

"I can't explain it. It's overwhelming," said NHP Trooper Eddie Dutchover. It's been a whirlwind 24 hours for Dutchover.

It started with what seemed to be an ordinary traffic stop on Monday night. Dutchover pulled over the driver because the red Escalade had no license plates. At first, Dutchover spoke with the driver -- Warren Jeffs' brother -- and something didn't seem right.

"I noticed some signs of behavior, nervous behavior, that was suspicious to me." Dutchover then made his way to a man who was sitting in the second row of the SUV. That man turned out to be on Warren Jeffs, who is on the list of America's most wanted top ten fugitives.

"I noticed Warren was extremely nervous. He was eating a salad, looking straight ahead, wouldn't make eye contact with me."

Dutchover said Jeffs was dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. Dutchover said he also noticed that Jeffs artery was pulsating in his neck indicating that he was nervous.

Jeffs would not tell Dutchover his name. "I had even said to him, 'Is everything ok? You are making me nervous.'"

More troopers arrived, and they were given an okay to search the SUV.

"There were some envelopes addressed to President Warren Jeffs." It was then that the troopers realized they might have a notorious fugitive in their grasp. The NHP called in an FBI special agent.

"He asked him to state his name, he said, 'Warren Steed Jeffs' and kind of sighed like it was over," Dutchover said.

Jeffs went quietly as troopers handcuffed him. It was one night that this longtime lawman will always remember.

"It is going to be the highlight of my career as a state trooper," Dutchover said. He added he's humbled by the experience and while he is being credited for making the stop that led to the arrest, he wants to credit all of the other law enforcement officers who were involved.
 
KLASTV.com
Originally published September 1, 2006
 
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