An Australian fugitive who eluded officials for seven years by hiding out in dense forests has been captured and charged with murder.
The Aboriginal bush survival expert and murder suspect, Malcolm Naden (38), had been compared with Australia's most famous 19th century bushranger Ned Kelly for his ability to elude police, at one stage narrowly escaping after shootout at a farmhouse.
New South Wales state police said Naden was Australia’s most wanted man. They arrested him today at a remote property about 250km north of Sydney.
Despite being surrounded by heavily armed police Naden made a dash to escape, but was brought down by a police dog which dragged him to the ground by his leg.
Naden was charged with murder in connection with the strangling death of his cousin.
He was also charged with attacking a teenage girl and shooting a police officer.
Naden has been on the run since his cousin was found strangled in the home Naden shared with his grandparents in 2005.
Police believe he spent the past seven years hiding out in a remote, heavily forested part of New South Wales.
AP