Randy Quaid’s Arrest In Vermont Resulted From Failed Re-entry; Actor And Wife Jailed In Different Institutions
"Independence Day" actor Randy Quaid's arrest in Vermont last Friday, Oct. 9 has been reported to be five years in the making as authorities have been searching for him since 2010, Burlington Free Press writes.
Quaid, 65, and his wife Evi were accused of doing more than $5,000 worth of damage to their once-owned property in Santa Barbara, CA. They fled to Canada in 2010 after missing a court appearance over felony vandalism charges. They also sought asylum in Canada as they feared that "Hollywood star whackers" were after them and accused of being responsible for the death of fellow Hollywood actor Heath Ledger in 2008.
The couple were granted permission to stay in 2011; however while Evi was granted Canadian citizenship due to her father being born in Canada, the actor's request for permanent residency was denied in 2013. Prior to Randy Quaid's arrest in Vermont, he was expected to be deported back to US on Oct. 14, according to CTV via CNN.
Before Quaid's deportation date, the couple tried to take matters into their own hands by crossing into Vermont - but the plan failed as US authorities at the Highgate Port of Entry already identified them as fugitives. Currently, they are being held at separate correctional facilities after a judge set bail at $500,000 for each of them.
Officials confirmed that the couple meets the requirements for extradition back to CA from Canada on the warrant of arreats issued for them in Santa Barbara, which resulted to Randy Quaid's arrest in Vermont. Attempts to reach the attorney for the Quaids for statements were unsuccessful.
Quaid was born on October 1, 1950 in Houston, TX. He was discovered by Peter Bodganovich while he was still a student at University of Houston, which led to his appearance in the latter's film "The Last Picture Show" in 1971. Quaid appeard in over 90 films in over 40 years in his career.
