Broker Who Allegedly Took Millions Arrested at Border

A stockbroker sought after allegedly disappearing with millions of dollars of his clients’ funds was arrested today by customs agents in Massena, N.Y., the U.S. Customs Service said.

Walter F. Curran was trying to enter the United States from Montreal after showing officers his Massachusetts driver’s license. A computer search showed a warrant had been issued for his arrest, Customs spokesman Edward Callahan said.

Curran was discovered missing, along with a reported $8 million, early this week after clients stormed the Boston office of the investment firm Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., claiming that he had been privately handling their money. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this week.

A search of Curran’s rental car discovered $130,000 in unreported cash, a violation of federal law, Callahan said.