Yves Rausch: ‘Rambo’ gunman suspect arrested in Black Forest after five-day hunt

Fugitive disarmed four officers before fleeing into the woods, officials say

The suspect, who disarmed police officers on 12 July 2020 during a person check, was arrested 17 July (EPA)

A fugitive nicknamed “Rambo” after he took weapons from police officers and went on the run has been arrested in Germany’s Black Forest, authorities say.

Yves Rausch, 31, had disarmed four officers at gunpoint before fleeing into the 2,300 square mile woodland, police said, where he remained for five days before being caught.

Officers said four firearms were seized during the arrest.

An elite team of officers, helicopters, police with thermal detectors and sniffer dogs were deployed to find the man – who was reportedly discovered thanks to a tip-off from a postal worker, according to the German newspaper Bild.

On Sunday, police were alerted about a suspicious person carrying a bow and arrow. Officers located a suspect and conducted an ID check on the man at a hut, which he was found to be using illegally.

However, while officials in the town of Oppenau said the suspect initially cooperated, he went on to pull a gun on the officers, threatening them and forcing them to hand over their service weapons.

Nobody was injured during the incident.

The altercation triggered a large-scale manhunt in the dense woodland.

Prosecutors have described the suspect as a “weapons enthusiast” but said he was banned from possessing weapons and ammunition in 2010 and had never been in a shooting club.

Mr Rausch lost his apartment last fall and had no permanent address since then, according to authorities.

Officials have said they don’t know what had prompted the incident.

Additional reporting by AP