PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — A man wanted on a first-degree murder charge in Raleigh, North Carolina, was taken into custody in Plymouth Township on Aug. 14 after police allege he refused to surrender, urged detectives to shoot him and attempted to flee through a mall parking lot.
The Raleigh Police Department identified the defendant as Rickey Andra Harper, who is accused in the death of Sheremy Gwenette Dillard.
Raleigh police reported that officers went to a residence in the 2200 block of Whistling Straits Way at approximately 12:18 p.m. Aug. 13 after Dillard’s family reported they had not heard from her. Investigators reported that Dillard lived at the residence with Harper.
Officers found Dillard dead inside the home, according to Raleigh police. Investigators reported that her injuries appeared consistent with a stabbing and that Harper was not at the residence when officers arrived.
Raleigh detectives gathered evidence and used automated license plate reader cameras to develop investigative leads, police reported. The case was subsequently presented to the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, which authorized a first-degree murder charge against Harper.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. Aug. 14, Raleigh police contacted Plymouth Township Police and reported that Harper was believed to be near the Courtyard Marriott Hotel at 651 Fountain Road and possibly driving a white Chevrolet Astro van with North Carolina registration, according to Plymouth Township Police.
Plymouth Township detectives conducted surveillance and located the van parked at the Plymouth Meeting Mall. Police reported that detectives saw Harper walking from the mall toward the vehicle and attempted to take him into custody.
Investigators allege Harper became confrontational, refused commands to surrender and kept his right hand inside his pants pocket. As detectives attempted to de-escalate the encounter, Harper allegedly yelled at officers and encouraged them to shoot him, according to police.
Following a brief standoff, Harper allegedly ran toward his van before detectives took him into custody.
Harper was arraigned in Pennsylvania as a fugitive from justice and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail, according to Plymouth Township Police. He is awaiting an extradition hearing in Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.
The underlying homicide case is being investigated by the Raleigh Police Department.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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