Murder suspects from Sacramento nabbed in Stateline

Tuesday, May 12, 1998 | 10:01 a.m.

John Edward Harris and Robert Albert Johnson are suspects in the April 27 death of Tommy Swafford, 18. Swafford's body was discovered along a downtown section of the American River bike trail.

Swafford, a transient, lived along the river for two years. Sacramento police said Swafford took a bike from Harris the day before his death, and Harris and Johnson then allegedly confronted Swafford. Swafford's head was crushed by rocks.

Sacramento police faxed local authorities information about the suspects. Investigators said Johnson and Harris had money wired to them and were planning to take a bus to Colorado.

Sgt. Tim Minister and Investigator Ron Bushey went to the Greyhound bus depot and saw the suspects standing just inside the station. Harris attempted to flee inside the casino but was quickly tackled by Minister while Bushey took Johnson into custody.

Minister said the two first tried to conceal their identity, but were later identified as the suspects. Bushey said there was some information that the two might be armed with a 9 mm-handgun, but the gun wasn't found.

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