Arizona sex offender who allegedly threatened to kill Trump arrested close to where former president was touring border
A sex offender who allegedly threatened to assassinate former President Donald Trump was busted in Arizona after a three-day manhunt — close to where the Republican presidential candidate had arrived to speak about the border crisis, according to authorities.
Robert Lee Syvrud, 66, was arrested during a traffic stop at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Cochise County — where Trump had arrived around noon as a guest of Sheriff Mark Dannels.
“Locating this subject was a priority,” Dannels’ department said of the protection plan for Trump, who survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last month.
Officials had earlier released wanted posters for Syvrud, saying he was wanted over “threats to kill a presidential candidate” in online posts Tuesday and then again Wednesday.
The investigation also found he had “multiple outstanding warrants” — including for a DUI in Wisconsin and a hit-and-run in Arizona, where he is also sought for failing to register as a sex offender, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Intelligence developed led to a possible location in the St. David area and multiple units deployed to the location,” the sheriff’s office said of Thursday’s breakthrough in the manhunt.
“At approximately 2:16 p.m., units on the scene observed the suspect traveling outside of the identified location, and a felony stop was conducted. Syvrud was taken into custody without further incident at approximately 2:30 p.m.,” the department said.
He was booked and remanded in custody on charges of failing to register as a sex offender and the alleged threats against Trump. It was not immediately clear what sex crime he had been convicted of.
The arrest came as Trump visited Sierra Vista, Arizona, where he vowed Thursday to impose “tough new sentences” for illegal migrants. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance, was also recently in the same area for a tour of the border.
This assassination threat came after Trump survived an assassination attempt on July 13 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
