Longtime Cheyenne Fugitive Tries To Outrun Police Using A U-Haul

A Cheyenne fugitive who had evaded capture for over five years was arrested on Wednesday after fleeing in a U-Haul truck as authorities closed in on him.

That's according to a news release from the United States Marshals Service District of Wyoming.

Adrian Cunningham Had Been Wanted Since January

According to the release, Adrian Cunningham was wanted on a felony warrant for a probation violation from January of 2021 stemming from a burglary case. The release says, "His criminal history includes offenses involving firearms, narcotics, domestic assault, burglary, and probation violations."

The Marshals' Wyoming District earlier this year launched "Operation Spring Cleaning," which the release describes as  "a multiagency initiative focused on locating individuals wanted on violent and other high-priority warrants while assisting Laramie County authorities in resolving longstanding fugitive cases.  

The operation led to people being arrested locally and across the country. Cunningham was the last of those sought in the operation.

The task force investigators learned Cunningham was in the Cheyenne area and that he might be armed, including with a rifle. Complicating matters further was the fact that the home where he was staying also had several children, including an infant.

Investigators were able to find him away from the home and tried to arrest him. But he took off in a U-Haul truck, leading to a car chase. The Cheyenne Police Department, Laramie County Sheriff's Office, and Wyoming Highway Patrol joined in the chase, eventually employing tire deflation devices.

Cunningham was arrested on the east side of Cheyenne.

According to the reelase “Today’s apprehension reflects the persistence of our investigators and the strength of our law enforcement partnerships,” said Michael Thomas, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the District of Wyoming. “For more than five years, Cunningham remained wanted, but the passage of time did not diminish our commitment to this case. Operation Spring Cleaning demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal, state, county, and local agencies work together with a shared commitment to public safety and accountability.”