Authorities nab man wanted for murder

The Blaine police department assisted the New York police department last week in the apprehension of a man wanted on a New York murder charge.

William Nmi Li, 25, of Queens, New York, was taken into custody on Wednesday, July 23, while staying at a Blaine motel on Alder Street. He is the main suspect in a March 2001 homicide of a man in the New York City borough of Queens.

“New York City detectives from the 109th precinct developed probable cause to believe that William Li gunned down a man in cold blood in Queens borough, New York in March of 2001,” Haslip said. “Li disappeared from the east coast before a warrant was obtained.”

On July 23, Haslip said, the NYPD learned that Li may have entered the U.S. from Canada at Blaine and immediately contacted Sergeant Ryan King of the Blaine police department, asking for assistance.

“Sergeant King helped the New York detectives work out the legal details needed to enable our officers to arrest Li if he was in Washington state,” Haslip said. “Other Blaine officers set up surveillance after confirming that the suspect had checked into a motel on Alder Street in Blaine.”

Within a few hours the proper legal documents were in place and Li surrendered without incident to a Blaine police department arrest team consisting of three officers and police canine Yoschi.

“This was an example of law enforcement agencies working together, using technology and good police work to bring a dangerous wanted man to justice,” Haslip said.

Li was watching Whatcom County’s Most Wanted on the public access channel when officers entered his room, and stated he had no idea the police were aware of his identity or location.

He was booked into Whatcom County Jail where he was met by New York City detectives the following day, and was flown back to New York on Tuesday.

“We were glad for the opportunity to help him make the trip out of our community,” Haslip said.

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