Fugitive Ty Hoffman arrested in Shakopee

Shakopee police confirmed Thursday morning that they have arrested fugitive Lyle "Ty" Hoffman, the man wanted for the slaying of a Boston Scientific executive last month.

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate said police were called after Hoffman, 44, was spotted by someone near Southbridge Crossing Shopping Center at about 10:17 a.m.

"When he was first observed by the officer, he was outside the Arby's looking at the drive-through menu, standing there," Tate said.

Police said Hoffman acknowledged his identity when he was approached. Hoffman wasn't armed and cooperated with police.

"I do believe he's been in the area recently -- we do know that," Tate said. "As far as where he's been sleeping the last few nights, we don't know."

Tate said Hoffman appeared to be on foot and was alone at the time of his arrest.

Ben Christensen, who works at a nearby jewelry store, said Hoffman looked disheveled and dirty. He said Hoffman was speaking to a female police officer outside Arby's.

"She didn't have her gun drawn, it looked very casual," Christensen said of the responding officer. "There wasn't any urgency -- it didn't seem like there was a threat."

Hoffman is in custody at the Ramsey County Jail.

"It was a critical case," Kirkwood said. "I know it's very relieving to the Phillips family and others that were close to him that we're happy that we now caught him."

Ramsey County officials upped the reward for information for Hoffman's arrest and capture to $40,000 on Wednesday. It has steadily risen in the weeks since the slaying and a suspected bank robbery by Hoffman in Blaine last month.

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate said in a statement they are still looking for evidence, including a gun.

"We continue to search for items that may have been in Hoffman's possession, including a Glock 45 with a camouflage pattern," he said. "If you see anything suspicious, please do not touch but call law enforcement immediately at 911."

Hoffman has been charged with murder by the Ramsey County Attorney's office for the killing of Kelly Phillips, 48, an attorney and executive at Boston Scientific. The two were former partners and business partners in the Lush Food Bar in Minneapolis.

Hoffman allegedly shot Phillips to death in the parking lot of a Holiday Station Store in Arden Hills on Aug. 11.

Police had warned throughout the month-long manhunt that anyone assisting Hoffman would be prosecuted. Kirkwood said officers will likely investigate whether Hoffman had any help in evading arrest.

"If that is in fact that is the case and somebody was assisting him, again, as I've mentioned before, they're facing not only potential state charges for aiding and abetting, but possibly federal charges as well, for harboring a fugitive," he said.

Hoffman is expected to make his first court appearance Friday. He was formally charged with one count of intentional murder in the second degree on Aug. 15, according to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office. Information on who will represent Hoffman was not available Thursday afternoon.

Phillips' fiance Nathon Bailey said he was grateful for Hoffman's arrest.

"No amount of justice will heal the broken heart that I will carry with me forever. Today's events won't bring Kelly back. It won't bring him back to life," Bailey said at a press conference Thursday afternoon. "I hope that today provides a renewed sense of safety to our family, our friends and the community."

Bailey said he's glad he will not have to see photos of "the suspect" anymore in the news. He did not refer to Hoffman by name.

Bailey also thanked the tipster who called in about Hoffman.

"I would like to find out the name of that individual and would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart," he said.

Kirkwood says police followed up on many tips.

"We rely on so much on technology in this day and age, usually electronic technology. That isn't how we found him," he said. "We found him through good old fashioned means, but that's police work. We'll chase down a thousand leads and if one's right, we still win. And in this case we won with the help of a concerned citizen that was able to provide us with the information they saw today."

Phillips' former wife and a lifelong friend, Kathleen Simon, said in a statement to MPR News that she's "sincerely grateful for the diligence of law enforcement and the attention of concerned citizens in today's developments."

• Audio: An edited track of public safety audio from Scott County, including the dispatch of a squad to check a suspicious party about 10:17 AM and his eventual arrest, about 10:43 AM.

• Video: Business owner Ben Christiansen was nearby when Shakopee police arrested Hoffman.