BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OHIO TOWNSHIP -- When Bob Aranyos cautiously checked out his son's weathered red barn Thursday morning, the barefoot man hiding inside apologized for trespassing and said he wanted to avoid the police at all cost. His reason: He said he was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife across the street, and didn't want to go to jail.
Only the last part was true.
The barefoot man was Kentucky homicide fugitive Jeffrey Gabbard. That brief encounter, from which Mr. Gabbard fled into woods moments later, punctuated the day's drama in Lindale, a Clermont County farming community known more for its rolling hills than rolling TV news cameras.
"I said, "You can't stay,' and he said, "I'm getting ready to leave,' " said Mr. Aranyos.
He hadn't seen Mr. Gabbard's photo in the media and didn't realize who he was.
The "wife" Mr. Gabbard referred to was really his sister, who had called police at 7:31 p.m. Wednesday when he sought refuge there.
By the time Mr. Aranyos' daughter-in-law, Cathy, called police on the "domestic dispute suspect," Mr. Gabbard had disappeared into nearby woods.
He was caught in Erlanger six hours later.
From the cracks in the barn's paint-chipped walls, the man charged with killing Jennifer Harber, 17, could watch the early-morning buzz of police, search dogs, helicopters, media and curious residents.
"It's amazing to think this could happen around here," said 30-year resident Robert Stotler, who owns the home where Mr. Gabbard's sister lives.
Thursday, the parking lot next to his home became a command center for 18 to 20 officers, some in camouflage and heavily armed.
Across the street, the Lindale Baptist Church's marquee read: "Blessed God, His Love is the Wonder of the World."
For most of the day here, the wonder was: "Where in the world is Jeffrey Gabbard?"
