Marine deserter wanted for allegedly killing mother's boyfriend captured in Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. (WGHP) -- Michael Alexander Brown, 22, a Marine deserter suspected of killing his mother's boyfriend earlier this month in Hardy, Virginia, was arrested Wednesday morning without incident, according to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The motive in the killing is unclear.

Brown deserted his post at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina last month, police said.

Though Franklin County authorities said this week he was driving a 2008 Lincoln Town Car, Roanoke Police Chief Tim Jones said Brown was driving an RV when he was spotted in Roanoke on Nov. 14.

A resident called police to say that a man in a black jacket was tapping on a window, and police responded and were “able to confirm to the best of our ability that it was Mr. Brown,” Jones said,

The RV, which was located nearby, was secured by a tactical team. Brown was believed to be on foot, perhaps looking for another vehicle, Jones said.

Brown was considered dangerous and reported to be possibly armed with a “shoulder-held, high-capacity weapon,” Jones said. He has family ties in the Roanoke area, the chief said.

North Carolina authorities have charged Brown with second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.