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Baltimore Police: Public Enemy No. 1 Arrested After Tip

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore's latest Public Enemy No. 1 is in custody, wanted in the brazen murder of a 73-year-old man in East Baltimore.

Exclusive surveillance video shows Public Enemy No. 1 being taken into custody Wednesday night, wanted in one of Baltimore's most brazen killings.

"He's responsible for the heinous murder of a vulnerable 73-year-old," said Commissioner Kevin Davis, Baltimore City Police Department.

Nineteen-year-old Christopher Straham had been on the run for nearly a week after police say he stabbed a 73-year-old man to death in Southeast Baltimore. It was caught on video.

"It was just horrible. The man had a cane. Very obvious that he was disabled," one resident said.

Members of the community tipped off police to the 3100 block of Orleans Street -- not far from where the murder happened. Police were able to nab Straham and take him into custody. They say it's obvious he had tried getting rid of his tattoos.

The owners of the Eagle Mart snapped a photo of Straham Wednesday night after they say they caught him stealing inside their store.

"He came inside our store and he was stealing. We caught him first. We locked the door," one of the owners said.

They immediately recognized the 19-year-old as Public Enemy No. 1, tried to lock him inside and called 911.

Surveillance video shows Straham trying to get out of the store.

"The dispatcher, he said, 'You know this guy?' I said, 'Yes, I watch the news, so please come right away,'" one of the owners said.

Straham eventually got out, but more good Samaritans joined in and held the 19-year-old down until police could arrive and arrest him.

"He was fighting, he took out a knife and he was about to hit the other guy who caught him, but we helped him and then we grabbed him," one of the store owners said.

Taking Baltimore's most wanted off the streets.

"Somebody who can do this to a 73-year-old man could certainly do it to you," said T.J. Smith, Baltimore City Police Department.

Straham is being charged with:

• 1st degree murder
• 2nd degree murder
• 1st and 2nd degree assault
• Armed Robbery
• Robbery
• Theft less than $100.00
• Dangerous Weapon w/ Intent to Injure

Court records state he was arrested in July for threatening a woman in a wheelchair with a knife, but those charges were eventually dropped.

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