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Bo Dukes, charged in Tara Grinstead case, in custody after 5-day manhunt, police say

IRWIN COUNTY, Ga. — A man accused of kidnapping and raping two women, who has also been tied to the death of a Georgia beauty queen, was captured Saturday in Irwin County, police said.

Bo Dukes, 34, was wanted in a rape and kidnapping case out of Warner Robins, Georgia. The alleged incident happened around 5:45 p.m. on New Year's Day.

Dukes had been on the run for five days.

Channel 2's Tony Thomas confirmed he was captured in Ocilla around 5:30 p.m. by U.S. Marshals who had the home under surveillance. He was caught at a relative's house after stopping by as deputies were staking it out.

Beauty queen and schoolteacher Tara Grinstead disappeared from her Ocilla home in 2005. Dukes' high school friend, Ryan Duke, has been changed with her murder. Dukes is accused of helping Duke dispose of the body. He was out on bond on charges he burned and moved Grinstead's body.

Duke and Dukes were charged in 2017, nearly 13 years after the crime. Grinstead's body has never been recovered.

Dukes' family released a statement to Channel 2 Action News Saturday night after his arrest:

"Our family would like to thank all the local and state law enforcement for the safe capture of Bo Dukes. The citizens of Wilcox, Ben Hill and Irwin counties can feel safe and secure with the level of professionalism exhibited by our law enforcement.  The family remains steadfast in our belief that justice should and will be served.  We are extremely sorry for the pain that has been inflicted by Bo’s actions. This most recent event just rubs the scab from a deep wound in our heart and soul that will never heal."

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In June, a grand jury indicted Dukes on charges of concealing a death, tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension of a criminal in connection with Grinstead's death.

On New Year's Day, investigators believe Dukes brought two women to his home by threatening them with physical violence and a gun. They say he then held them in his home and raped them.

Thomas went to Warner Robins, where a neighbor of Dukes' said the women ran to his house, saying Dukes had given them a ride but claimed he needed to stop by his house first.

Police said when the women escaped, Dukes ran.

He's facing charges of rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In recently released recordings, Duke claims Dukes is actually the one responsible for Grinstead's death. On Friday, Duke asked a judge for bond.

Cox Media Group

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