New York:
An unemployed drifter who became an Internet sensation in February after he brandished a hatchet to stop an assault has been charged with murder following his arrest in Philadelphia, police said.
Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, 24, was detained at a bus station on Thursday after a manhunt following the murder of 73-year-old Joseph Galfy in the New Jersey town of Clark, just outside New York on Sunday.
McGillvary became the subject of a hit viral video earlier this year after he was reported to have intervened to help a man being attacked by the crazed driver of a car in California.
His animated interview with a local television station in Fresno following the attack -- in which he described chasing off the attacker with his hatchet -- went viral and garnered national attention.
However, McGillvary was sought by authorities after Galfy was found bludgeoned to death at his home. McGillvary had gone to Galfy's home after meeting him in Times Square, New York on Saturday.
Prosecutors said McGillvary was arrested in Philadelphia despite efforts to change his appearance by cutting his hair.
He was detained on $3 million bail and will be transferred to New Jersey "in the coming days," a statement said.
"I am grateful for the overwhelming response and dedicated effort by the public and law enforcement that led to this arrest," Union County prosecutor Theodore Romankow said. "I believe that everyone is a little safer with this person off the streets."
Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, 24, was detained at a bus station on Thursday after a manhunt following the murder of 73-year-old Joseph Galfy in the New Jersey town of Clark, just outside New York on Sunday.
McGillvary became the subject of a hit viral video earlier this year after he was reported to have intervened to help a man being attacked by the crazed driver of a car in California.
His animated interview with a local television station in Fresno following the attack -- in which he described chasing off the attacker with his hatchet -- went viral and garnered national attention.
However, McGillvary was sought by authorities after Galfy was found bludgeoned to death at his home. McGillvary had gone to Galfy's home after meeting him in Times Square, New York on Saturday.
Prosecutors said McGillvary was arrested in Philadelphia despite efforts to change his appearance by cutting his hair.
He was detained on $3 million bail and will be transferred to New Jersey "in the coming days," a statement said.
"I am grateful for the overwhelming response and dedicated effort by the public and law enforcement that led to this arrest," Union County prosecutor Theodore Romankow said. "I believe that everyone is a little safer with this person off the streets."
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
