Police searching for fugitive suspected of murder in Arkansas

Police are searching Butler County and beyond for a fugitive suspected of killing several people in Arkansas.

A murder warrant was issued Sunday by Fort Smith, Ark., police for Joseph Ricciuto, 30, whose last known address is in Butler.

Ricciuto is accused of beating a man to death in a Fort Smith motel room on July 4. The body was found by a cleaning woman the next day, according to an investigator with the De Queen, Ark., sheriff's department.

Police are not sure if Ricciuto is armed. A Butler police alert says he 'is also suspected in the disappearance and homicides of several women from Arkansas,' but no additional information on those charges was available.

The FBI is also investigating because Ricciuto crossed state lines with stolen property and is wanted on a federal fugitive warrant.

De Queen deputies discovered a 1990 Mercedes burning about 2 a.m. July 5, said investigator Chris Brackett. The car belonged to Jack Rose, a Fort Smith resident police said was found in a motel bathtub after being beaten and strangled by Ricciuto.

Butler City Police said Ricciuto entered the motel July 4 with Rose and an unidentified woman. They believe Ricciuto fled Arkansas and is traveling alone.

Butler police became involved with the investigation after getting a warrant for Ricciuto's April arrest for theft of a handgun and video camera and three counts of forgery.

Ricciuto's ex-girlfriend is also missing, but Butler City Police said they didn't have any other information about her. Ricciuto and the woman reportedly had a child together.

Police in Waldron, Ark., an hour from Fort Smith, discovered Rose's wallet and some clothing in a garbage bin July 5. The wallet was discovered by a trash hauler who saw it fall out of a duffel bag.

Police believe Ricciuto threw the wallet and duffel bag into the trash in Waldron, then drove to De Queen to dispose of the car.

Shortly after De Queen police found the Mercedes, they received a report that a 1991 Chevy Capri was stolen four miles east of De Queen, Brackett said.

The Chevy Capri was later found about 14 miles from where it was stolen. Police believe Ricciuto then stole a 1997 Nissan Altima and headed south to Bossier City, La.

Brackett said Ricciuto visited family there, who called police when they realized the Nissan was stolen.

The car was later found in Waynesburg, Greene County, on Sunday. Some officials believe Ricciuto - who also goes by the name of Joseph DeMarco - may be traveling with his brother, Jerry.

Ricciuto is believed to be driving a stolen silver Ford Ranger pickup truck with an extended cab.

Some reports indicate the brothers may have traveled to Buffalo, N.Y., while others say they're hiding in Butler County.

Butler police believe Ricciuto came through Pennsylvania last Saturday or Sunday.

Butler police have advised officers to use caution when approaching Ricciuto because he is skilled in martial arts.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Joseph Ricciuto should contact local police departments or the Pittsburgh Branch of the FBI at (412) 471-2000.

Michelle Start is a staff writer with the Valley News Dispatch in Tarentum.