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Fugitive captured in Montana with missing teen

Police say Sluti appeared to be unharmed after her rescue.

ROLLINS, Montana (CNN) -- Authorities captured federal fugitive Anthony Steven Zappa, 29, early Thursday and rescued the 17-year-old girl they said he abducted last week.

Zappa surrendered peacefully at 3:18 a.m. outside a summer cottage, said Undersheriff Mike Sargeant with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Anne Sluti appeared to be unharmed and was staying at a local hotel, he said.

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The FBI said that Zappa abducted Sluti on Friday from a shopping mall in Kearney, Nebraska, where she lives, and took her to Montana.

Sluti was able to place several calls to friends and family during her capture, helping authorities to focus their search for the pair.

Zappa, who also goes by the name Anthony Steven Wright, was arrested in November on seven felony warrants from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin for possession of a machine gun, possession of a machine gun while committing a crime, burglary, felony theft, possession of stolen property, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

A federal warrant was issued after Zappa skipped bond and failed to make a scheduled court appearance.

FBI spokesman Larry Holmquist said a nearby resident called police Thursday evening after spotting a vehicle matching the description of a stolen 1991 Toyota Tercel parked outside the cottage. Witnesses had sighted Zappa driving the car earlier in the week.

Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office were called and determined Zappa and Sluti were inside.

Sargeant said Sluti then called him at the sheriff's office, beginning a conversation that continued on and off throughout the night. Zappa got on the line several times and spoke with authorities.

"He had some reservations as to whether we wanted to end it peacefully," Sargeant said. "He was nervous he might get shot. After some assurances on our end, he surrendered."

Zappa, also known as Anthony Steven Wright, surrendered peacefully in Montana.

Zappa emerged unarmed from the cabin, at which point deputies took him into custody. Sluti followed, "very excited" that the ordeal was over, said Sargeant.

Sluti was staying at a local hotel Friday with the FBI until an agent from Nebraska could arrive to escort her home.

Her parents were told of the capture Thursday morning and were "relieved" their daughter was free, Holmquist said. Sluti's father is a professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Sluti is a 4.0 student who is involved with her school track team and her church.

Sargeant said the Lake County attorney would have to determine what charges Zappa will face in connection with the kidnapping. He had no information about Zappa's possible motive.

"I've talked to him for a short period of time here, but there was no discussion as to why he did the things he's alleged to have done," Sargeant said.

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Federal Bureau of Investigation

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