VIA Dayton Daily News

56-day manhunt for ‘Iddi’ Bakari in Yellow Springs case ends near Atlanta; extradition hearing today.
By Christopher Magan

Staff Writer

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

XENIA — A tip to “America’s Most Wanted” ended a 56-day nationwide manhunt for the accused kingpin of a Yellow Springs drug ring.

Umoja “Iddi” Bakari, 28, was captured by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Squad at a hotel east of Atlanta about 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, said Bruce May, commander of the Greene County drug task force.

Police got a tip after Bakari appeared on the “America’s Most Wanted” Web site, said Suzanne Schmidt, first assistant Greene County prosecutor.

Bakari was arrested without incident, May said. He faces a 22-count felony indictment for allegedly leading a crime ring that dealt cocaine and marijuana in Yellow Springs and Columbus for years and laundered the proceeds.

Bakari also provided information on where to find the body of Timothy Lopez, a Yellow Springs High School student killed in 2002. Michael Rittenhouse is serving 15 years to life in connection with the teen’s death.

It’s unclear how long Bakari was in Georgia or why he went there. He had cut his long braided hair and had grown a beard, according to his jail booking photo.

May said Bakari’s associate, Robert McDonald, wanted on felony charges in connection to the same drug operation, lived in the Atlanta area.

Bakari faces an extradition hearing at noon today. If he doesn’t fight extradition, Bakari could be in the Greene County Jail within 10 days.

Contact the reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com

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