Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502140067
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A15 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
``It's almost like he became impressed with himself, became a legend in his own mind,'' said James Fox, who headed the FBI office in New York when the bomb exploded in 1993.
It's the only sensible explanation for such risky behavior, he said. Ramzi Ahmed Yousef reportedly flew first class from city to city, visiting girlfriends and working on fresh schemes.
Yousef, who was the FBI's most sought-after fugitive, was caught Wednesday in Pakistan, where he had arrived on a flight from Thailand.
``He had to know we had his description, associations and habits entered into every computer database with every law enforcement agency in the world,'' said Fox, who retired last year after three decades with the FBI.
``It would be just crazy for him to travel around. Maybe he's like so many people that get a little taste of the spotlight,'' Fox said. ``He didn't behave very smartly.''
If Yousef had hidden in some small village in Iraq, he probably could have escaped detection forever, Fox said.
U.S. officials say Yousef, born in Kuwait, is now a Pakistani citizen with Iraqi travel documents.
Yousef, 27, was brought to the United States to face charges that he and five men bombed the Trade Center complex Feb. 26, 1993, killing six people and injuring hundreds more. He pleaded innocent Thursday.
Fox said that after learning Yousef had slipped out of the country the night of the attack, he and a police official vowed to get him - even if it took 20 years.
Now, Fox said, law enforcers who worked on the case are planning a reunion. ``We got him now, and it's time to celebrate.''
by CNB