Michigan Man Arrested After 30 Years on the Run
A man from Michigan, who had been evading capture for over three decades linked to the murder of his punk rock roommate, has finally been apprehended, officials have reported.
Richard Werstein, age 56, also known by the name Joseph Alan Stavros, was taken into custody in April in Panama City, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals Service.
He was wanted for the murder of 23-year-old Rodney Berger, who was discovered dead in Detroit on September 15, 1993. At the time, Berger was the lead singer of the punk band “Cold as Life,” as noted by a local publication.
Interestingly, Werstein had been arrested just days after the incident, but a warrant was issued in 1994 when he didn’t show up in court.
A federal official remarked, “He’s been a ghost since 1994,” emphasizing the complexity of his disappearance. “He was very clever and managed to stay hidden for a long while.”
After authorities realized he had been on the lam for years, a warrant was filed in 2022. Investigators said he had been captured multiple times under different names yet still managed to slip away from law enforcement. It’s kind of fascinating, in a grim way, how some people can manage to stay off the radar for so long.
The U.S. Marshals utilized advanced investigative methods and dedicated significant resources to find him.
On April 29, 2026, Werstein was located at a dog park in Panama City and arrested. Authorities later confirmed he illegally entered Panama back in 2005, admitting to using fraudulent documents.
Upon his extradition, he was transferred to Wayne County authorities. Jimmie Allen, a Chief Deputy Sheriff, highlighted the commitment of the U.S. Marshals in keeping individuals like Werstein accountable. He mentioned that the arrest brings some closure to those grieving loved ones lost to violence.
It’s a testament to their ongoing pursuit of justice in the community, showing dedication to those they serve. In the end, it’s a complex situation that brings to light the darker, lingering consequences of unresolved cases.
