George Hartleroad, a convicted rapist who had been on the run for nearly 30 years, was apprehended by police in West Des Moines, Iowa, after being stopped for not having a rear reflector on his bicycle. Initially, Hartleroad provided a false identity, claiming to be Gregory Stallins, a name associated with a deceased individual. The officer, detecting inconsistencies, conducted further checks and discovered an outstanding warrant for Hartleroad's arrest related to serious crimes including sexual assault and false imprisonment. Despite his attempts to maintain the false identity, Hartleroad ultimately confessed after being confronted with evidence. His arrest highlights the unexpected ways fugitives can be caught, with this incident stemming from a minor traffic violation. Hartleroad is now facing legal consequences for his long evasion of justice.