Yesterday afternoon, Boston Police Department officers placed Geetha Rathnamala, a 46-year-old Boston resident, in handcuffs in connection with a Felony Assault Two charge out of New York City. Rathnamala who was apprehended at around 2:40 PM near 71 Newbury Street, was also facing a charge as a Fugitive from Justice. Her apprehension was facilitated by the coordination of the Fugitive Unit and District D-4 officers.
Rathnamala's name had been included on a BPD Most Wanted List prior to her arrest. Details from the Boston Police Department's official statement indicate that the suspect was wanted on an outstanding Full Extradition warrant sought by authorities in New York. The nature of these proceedings implies a transgression severe enough to warrant crossing state lines to enforce justice.
The arrest is an example of inter-state cooperation in law enforcement, a system designed to ensure that individuals facing serious charges can be held accountable, irrespective of borders. While the Boston Police Department's brief tells little of the circumstances surrounding the initial incident in New York, it's clear the law has a long memory--and reach.
Rathnamala is being charged additionally with Fugitive from Justice, a reminder that the grasp of the law can extend far beyond the immediate vicinity of an alleged crime. She is slated to appear in Boston Municipal Court for her arraignment, although an exact date for this proceeding has not been disclosed. The ongoing legal process will reveal more about the case that has led to her becoming one of Boston's most sought-after fugitives.
