'It's extremely important to get a guy like that': Man held in dog attack

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Thomas Vargus, fresh off a police road trip from Pennsylvania to the Taunton Police Station, one of the State Police's Most Wanted Fugitives, is back in custody.

At Taunton District Court Thursday, Vargus was arraigned on animal cruelty and assault with a dangerous weapon charges.

Police allege on September 18, he attacked a pit bull on Church Street with a machete and tried to cut its head off, while its owner was walking it.

The dog belonged to the girlfriend of Vargus' brother, her legs were sliced in the attack.

A police K-9 followed Vargus' scent to his brother’s house a few blocks away, but he was gone.

“It's extremely important to get a guy like that,” Mass. State Police Det. Lt. Michael Farley said.

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He put Vargus on the state police most wanted fugitive list.

Authorities thought Vargus' extensive facial tattoos would make him easy to find, but police say while on the run, Vargus grew his hair out and the tips dried up.

Taunton and State Police Detectives then looked at Vargus’ history, which led to key break.%

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“We caught him down in Pennsylvania where he was staying with an individual we believe he met in prison, who has an extensive history himself, who actually was convicted of shooting a New Jersey state trooper in the face,” said Lt. Farley.

Thomas Vargus appeared in Taunton District court clean shaven again and has been held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

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