A man suspected of killing his father and torching the family home to conceal the crime has been taken into custody after a multi-day search, New York law enforcement officials announced early Sunday.
The suspect, 32-year-old Thomas Ryan, had been flagged as armed and dangerous in a New York State Police statement released Friday. At that point, troopers said he was known to spend time in the Plattsburgh area of Clinton County.
On Thursday, investigators were called to a house fire on Greenville Turnpike in Greenville, Orange County. Once the flames were put out, a deceased man was discovered inside, state police said.
An early investigation determined the blaze was intentionally set, and state police are treating the death as a homicide, according to officials.
New York State Police identified the victim as 70-year-old Robert Ryan, Thomas Ryan’s father. Law enforcement sources said Robert Ryan had retired to Orange County, while the rest of the family resides on Long Island.
“Thomas Ryan did not reside with his father at the time of the incident and has no other known current ties to the Greenville community,” New York State Police said Saturday.
“Investigators have determined that Thomas has lived a transient lifestyle, staying at numerous shelters throughout New York State. Investigators have followed up on these locations and continue to immediately and thoroughly investigate all tips and reported sightings,” police said.
According to police, investigators are combing through extensive surveillance footage in an outward radius from the crime scene in an effort to retrace the suspect’s movements.
The video in the player above is from a previous report.
Ring camera video obtained by ABC News appears to capture Ryan fleeing the burning residence.
Additional State Police patrols have been sent to Greenville and neighboring communities, police said.
The sources added that investigators are also examining Ryan’s mental health history.
Stephanie Coiro, the victim’s daughter, told ABC News her father did not deserve to die.
“My Dad was a pillar in our family and every community he was a part of. He made you feel welcome, he helped when you needed, and then some. He had more character in his pinky than most in their whole bodies, he did not deserve this,” she said.
Ryan stands 6 foot 2 inches and weighs approximately 200 pounds. Before his arrest, he was last spotted in the Greenville Turnpike area dressed in black sweatpants and a black t-shirt, according to police.
Police said Ryan was believed to be driving a 2016 gray Toyota Prius bearing New York plate HNH-7671. He was also known to travel by train, and investigators have been working with rail transportation partners, police said.
The New York State Police urged Greenville residents to check any home surveillance footage captured from roughly 6 p.m. Thursday through the overnight hours. Anyone who noticed suspicious activity was asked to contact the New York State Police right away.
Anyone with information was asked to reach New York State Police Troop F Communications at (845) 344-5300 or dial 911. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].
-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Jessica Gorman contributed to this report.