Most Wanted Suspect Involved in Cambridge Assault 21 Years Ago Captured in Jamaica

One of the Massachusetts State Police Most Wanted fugitives who is accused of savagely assaulting his ex-girlfriend -- stabbing and slashing her as she slept in 1994 -- before fleeing the country was returned to Massachusetts last night to answer to the charges.

The Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, Cambridge Police, and the United States Marshals Service tracked ARNOLD GABBIDON, 59, to Jamaica, where he was living with a relative.

GABBIDON was arrested in Jamaica on Aug. 3, 2015. His extradition was processed and he was flown into Boston last night. He will be arraigned in the near future in Middlesex County on charges of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, mayhem, threats to commit a crime, armed burglary, stalking, and malicious destruction of property.  His case is being prosecuted by the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Evidence indicates that in the early morning of January 14, 1994, GABBIDON -- who had been stalking an ex-girlfriend -- broke down the the door of the woman's Cambridge residence and stabbed and slashed her as she slept, leaving her for dead. The victim was able to call Cambridge Police and miraculously survived her wounds.  GABBIDON fled the area.

Cambridge Police Department detectives and Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section then began searching for GABBIDON.  GABBIDON was added to the Massachusetts State Police Most Wanted List in 2006 and his case was featured on "America's Most Wanted" in January 2007 and January 2010.

Across the ensuing years, investigators continued their pursuit of GABBIDON.  As a result, intelligence was developed that GABBIDON was hiding out in Jamaica, living with a relative.

The United States Marshals Service joined the case to provide additional assistance. A US Marshals Task Force confirmed the location where GABBIDON was living. He was taken into custody early last month and had been held until his extradition yesterday.

Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert C. Haas stated, “This arrest demonstrates that a case should never be considered closed without a definitive resolution. The various agencies involved in the investigation relentlessly pursued this fugitive and never wavered in their commitment to advocating for the victim and bringing forth justice. I am very proud of the work conducted by our Detectives, some of whom have been involved in this case from the beginning, and appreciative of all of the support they received from our law enforcement partners.”