Internet Celebrity ‘Kai The Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker’ Arrested In Philadelphia For NJ Murder
Internet celebrity "Kai The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker," also known as Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, has been arrested for the murder of a Clark, NJ man.
McGillvary was arrested by Philadelphia Police at the Greyhound bus terminal and is being held on $3 million bail according to WPVI TV.
"I am grateful for the overwhelming response and dedicated effort by the public and law enforcement that led to this arrest," said Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow in a statement. "I believe that everyone is a little safer with this person off the streets."
WPVI reports that McGillvary spent Monday night at a fan's home in Glassboro, New Jersey just outside Philadelphia. Eric, one of the people who lives in the home, told the TV station, "We didn't know when he was staying here. He didn't give any signs of it. He was a nice enough guy and everything, but afterwards it kind of made sense after everything we are hearing. You go back on all of the stuff he was saying and it all made sense."
McGilvary spent some time in Philadelphia before trying to leave late Thursday afternoon. "He said he was going down to Georgia trying to catch a bus, but other than that, I don't know," Eric told WPVI.
Murder In New Jersey
Attorney Joseph Galfy was found inside his Clark home on Monday, dead from blunt forlce trauma to the head, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office. He was found in his bed wearing nothing but his socks and underwear.
Galfy picked up McGillvary in Times Square on Saturday, said Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow at a press conference, according to the Patch of Westfield, and invited him to stay the night in his home.
McGillvary went to Asbury Park the next day and then returned to Galfy's home, where he allegedly murdered Galfy. Afterward, McGillvary met up with two fans, who are assisting in the investigation.
Romankow says the 24-year-old McGillvary has cut his long hair in an effort to change his appearance. He is considered armed and dangerous. Bail is set at $3 million in State Superior Court. A $5,000 reward has been posted as a reward by Union County Crimestoppers.
On Tuesday, McGillvary posted details of an assault on his Facebook page:
"Home Free"
McGillvary travels the country depending on the kindness of strangers for food, transportation and lodging, and posting about his travels on Facebook and YouTube. He considers himself "home free."
Other names he uses include Lawrence, Caleb Kai Lawrence and Kai Nicodemus.
McGillvary rose to fame in February when he saved a PG&E worker named Rayshawn Neely who was being attacked by a man named Jett McBride in Fresno, Calif. McBride is accused of driving his car into a car into Neely.
McGillvary was a passenger in McBride's car.
The Fresno Bee reports that after striking Neely, McBride got out and started started hitting Neely. McGillvary then pulled out his hatchet and hit McBride in the head three or four times. McGillvary was told to leave as employees subdued McBride a second time.
Anyone with information about McGillvary can call Union County Crime Stoppers at 908-219-6735, online at uctip.org or text UCTIP to 274637.