Cape Coral police have located a fugitive and a 16-year-old female runaway in Houston, Texas.

Christopher P. Beckner, 37, and the girl, whose name is being withheld due to her age, were located and taken into custody by Houston police after Cape police tracked the pair to the Houston area, officials said Sunday.

Beckner, of 110 NE 16th Place #B; has been charged with interference with custody of a minor (3rd degree felony); sexual performance by a child (2nd degree felony); aggravated stalking (3rd degree felony) and violation of Injunction (1st degree misdemeanor), according to Cape Coral police.

Police were first called to Beckner’s residence on Nov. 12 by the mother of the girl. The mother stated that she had obtained an injunction in October to keep Beckner away from her daughter, however, her daughter left home and was living with Beckner. The two had left the residence before police arrived but they were located a short time later in North Fort Myers. When police approached them, Beckner reportedly fled on foot and could not be found. The 16-year-old was taken to the Cape police station for evaluation, officials said.

On Nov. 18, the mother contacted Cape police again and reported that Beckner had returned to her home and left with her daughter. They had not been seen since. Three days later, the mother provided police with a copy of Beckner’s birth certificate, which showed his given name was “Christopher P. Snyder.” The copy had arrived via FedEx, which indicated that Beckner might try to obtain new identification under the alias and flee the country with the girl, officials said.

Cape Coral police detectives issued an “endangered runaway” poster to 10 states on Friday night, including Texas. The detectives tracked the pair to south Houston and notified Houston police. Saturday evening, Houston police were able to locate Beckner and the girl at a hotel. The girl was still at the hotel when police arrived but Beckner had left the room to get some food, officials said. When he returned and saw police, he fled on foot. A foot pursuit ensued, and Houston police caught and arrested Beckner.

Beckner is in the custody of Houston police and is being held on the Cape Coral warrant. He is awaiting transport back to Cape Coral where he is facing three felony charges.

The 16-year-old is in the custody of Child Protective Services in Houston.

Source: Cape Coral Police Department