Fugitive wanted for murder arrested in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Daniel Charles Martin, who has evaded police since the Nov. 8 murder of Melinda "Mindi" Shinn , was arrested on Wednesday.

Shortly after the discovery of Shinn's body on Nov. 8, police began looking for Martin, Shinn's boyfriend, and the red 1998 Ford Explorer he was driving.

The Mercer County Sheriff's Department, who was brought in to investigate by the Rockford Police Department, issued an arrest warrant for Martin on Nov. 8 and a Mercer County Grand Jury issued an indictment during the December term.

The Explorer was found in Fort Wayne on Nov. 8 but Martin was not with the vehicle. At the time, Sheriff Jeff Grey said Ohio police were working closely with the Fort Wayne Police Department and said they learned that Martin has family in Fort Wayne.

Photo: Melinda "Mindi" Shinn

On Nov. 9, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office asked the United States Marshal’s Service for help in finding Martin.

On the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 2, Deputy Marshals and Mercer County Detectives targeted the Fort Wayne home Martin was staying in. Martin was taken into custody without further incident.

“We are very grateful for the US Marshal Service assistance,” stated Sheriff Grey, “without their help and unique tracking capabilities, we would still be looking for Mr. Martin. This is a great example of how federal and local agencies can and should work together.”

An AK 47 assault rifle was also found at the home, it was seized and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is investigating the ownership of the rifle.