Missouri man accused of posing as rescuer arrested

TOBERMORY, Ontario -- A man accused of posing as a military captain and taking control of rescue efforts after a deadly interstate bridge collapse was arrested Sunday by Canadian authorities.

Ontario Provincial Police arrested William Clark, 29, of Tallapoosa, Mo., on fraud and theft charges early Sunday as he waited to board a ferry in Tobermory.

Clark was wanted by the FBI for showing up in Webbers Falls, Okla., within two hours of the Interstate 40 bridge collapse over the Arkansas River and claiming he was a captain with U.S. Special Forces. Clark is accused of getting free food, lodging and transportation by impersonating a military officer.

Canadian authorities charged Clark with possession of property obtained by crime, and weapons offenses. He also is facing charges under the Canada Immigration Act.

Clark is scheduled to appear in an Owen Sound, Ontario, court today.

A barge struck the bridge May 26, sending 10 vehicles into the river and killing 14 people.

Clark, wearing a green beret, camouflage fatigues and shiny boots, was giving orders within hours of the bridge collapse in eastern Oklahoma. He even gave media interviews.

Relatives and investigators say Clark has a history of assuming false identities to gain free meals, free rooms or merchandise.

He is accused of renting eight hotel rooms in Van Buren, Ark., after the bridge accident, then skipping town without paying the $900 bill.

Webbers Falls Mayor Jewell Horne said Clark already knew about one of the victims -- Army Capt. Andrew Clements -- before any bodies had been pulled from the river. He asked Horne for Clements' briefcase and laptop computer, which had been found in the water, and searched them.

Authorities are not sure how Clark knew about Clements, his briefcase or his laptop.

Clark was released from the Central Missouri Correctional Center in Jefferson City on Dec. 11, after serving three years for felony stealing, said Tim Kniest, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Corrections.