FORT DAVIS - A key member of the armed Republic of Texas separatists, ensconced in the west Texas mountains for the past six days, walked out of the group's compound yesterday and was arrested. Mr Robert Scheidt, the security chief of the group, who was returned to the compound by police earlier in exchange for the release of two hostages, was arrested without incident, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said.
Mr Scheidt is one of six Republic of Texas members including the group's leader, Mr Richard McLaren, who face state felony charges for engaging in criminal activity.
Claiming police were ready to move against the separatists and that this would mean the rebels' death, the group's lawyer last night asked authorities for "a little more time".