Live 5 News Most Wanted fugitive captured after viewer recognizes wanted man

Published: Apr. 28, 2015 at 5:28 PM EDT|Updated: Apr. 28, 2015 at 6:07 PM EDT
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NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - A Charleston County fugitive was captured on Tuesday after a viewer recognized the wanted man from a Live 5 News broadcast segment.

Authorities captured 35-year-old Joshua Maurice Belin of North Charleston who was wanted for failing to register as a sex offender second-offense and two family court bench warrants. Belin was featured on a Live 5 News Most Wanted segment last October.

On Tuesday at 10 a.m., the U.S. Marshals Task Force along with NCPD units went to a home on Crestline Drive in North Charleston to capture Belin.

A CCSO report states that "an avid viewer of Live 5 News 'Most Wanted' segment" recognized the suspect coming and going from the home and notified authorities.

U.S. Marshals approached the home, knocked on the door and ordered the suspect to "peacefully exit the residence!"

After several minutes, authorities say Belin came out, surrendered and was locked up at the Charleston County Detention Center.

Belin was wanted by CCSO investigators for failing to register as a sex offender second offense.

On May 9, 2007, Belin was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and subsequently registered as a convicted sex offender.

On July 22, 2014, a detective received a tip that Belin was living at a home on Waltham Road in North Charleston, while he registered his address at a home on Hunter's Ridge.

The detective reported that Belin was evicted from the Waltham Road home on June 20, 2014, and never registered the Waltham Road as his residence with the sheriff's office.

Belin is also wanted in Dorcheser County for failing to change his address and failing to report for his regulary registration in July of 2014.

Belin was previously convicted of failure to register first offense on April 24, 2013.

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