Fugitive in 1999 Killing Arrested

An alleged gang member was arrested Wednesday in Florida in connection with the February 1999 abduction and killing of a wealthy, young Woodland Hills businessman.

Telemarketing executive Christopher Rawlings, 30, died in a fiery crash, after flying out of the trunk of his own car as his assailants were being pursued by police through the San Fernando Valley.

Florida authorities and federal agents arrested Boris George “Booney” Graham, 31, of Pacoima outside an apartment in Hollywood, Fla., along with his brother, Bevin Graham, 34, who was being held on suspicion of possessing a stolen revolver, authorities said. Boris Graham faces felony charges of murder, kidnapping, carjacking, robbery and evading.

Police said he was one of two masked men who on Feb. 8, 1999, followed Rawlings to his home, beat him up and stole jewelry before forcing him into the trunk of his $200,000 Bentley as his wife and children cowered on the roof of their home.

Rawlings’ wife, Barbie, called police, who arrived at the Quedo Drive home just as the assailants drove off.

During the pursuit, the car crashed into another vehicle and a utility pole on Tampa Avenue, throwing Rawlings headfirst into a brick wall. He died the next day.

The assailants fled on foot in Tarzana, aided in eluding police by a power outage caused by the crash.

After the incident, Graham, an ex-convict, was reported being seen in Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Omaha, Chicago and Las Vegas.

“We suspect that he financed his fugitive status by dealing drugs or ripping off drug dealers” in several states and Canada, said Det. Rick Swanston of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Division.

Police said Graham apparently used several aliases, including the name of a prison associate.

“We are elated, because it is finally going to bring closure to the Rawlings family, which has been anxious to have the last suspect brought to justice,” Swanston said.

In 2001, Kirell Francis Taylor, Graham’s alleged accomplice, was convicted in the case and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Detectives said they had been receiving information for several months that Graham was in Florida, but learned only recently that he was in Broward County.

Deputies there learned from a tip where Graham would be Wednesday morning.

As Graham and his brother stood near their car outside a small apartment complex, they were surrounded by sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents and U.S. marshals and arrested without a struggle, authorities said.

“There were no shots, no scuffle. It was pretty much textbook,” said Hugh Graf, a spokesman for the Broward County Sheriff’s Department.

Boris Graham, who was using the alias, Terrance Graham, is being held at the Broward County Jail.

Extradition proceedings are underway.

Bevin Graham was wanted in Los Angeles on a felony warrant stemming from a 2003 drug conviction.