To The Center

After three days of pursuit, police have nabbed the ex-boyfriend of a 17-year-old Washington girl found dead in her burning Renton home last Tuesday.

Jarod Thomas Lane, 19, was arrested as a suspect in the murder of Jessica Scholl near Oklahoma City on Monday, following a tip from a local Oklahoma news station.  Oklahoma City police officers arrested Lane under a temporary homicide arrest warrant.

A KFOR-TV news crew spotted an individual that matched Lane’s description walking along an interstate highway Monday afternoon and alerted the authorities.  Lane reportedly did not resist his arrest and only asked for a bottle of water upon his capture.  Renton law enforcement officials are traveling to Oklahoma to question Lane.

Police have been searching for Lane since Friday morning, following various sightings of the suspect all the way to Oklahoma.  He was traveling by means of a green Mazda Protege, which was found abandoned just north of Oklahoma City on Monday.  Authorities say the abandonment was likely caused by a lack of gas.

Jessica Scholl was found dead on her couch in her home after firefighters put out the blaze. Reports say that the girl was repeatedly stabbed and beaten before the fire was set.

Friends of Scholl and Lane say that the two dated but broke up on May 16.  Lane was distraught by the breakup.

A candlelight vigil was held for Jessica on Sunday night at Lindbergh High, where Jessica attended high school.  A statement released by Jessica’s family shows gratitude for those involved in the commemoration and the case.

“We want to thank everyone for their outpouring of support,” reads the statement, which was released on Sunday. “Your prayers and thoughts have brought us comfort during this time of tragedy. We want to thank Jessica’s classmates and teachers and all of our friends for helping us remember her. We are especially grateful to the Renton Police and Fire Departments for their response and thoroughness in their work.”