Fugitive Cosmetics Heir Found in Mexico

June 18 -- — Fugitive Max Factor cosmetics heir Andrew Luster was captured in Mexico today, ending a worldwide manhunt that began when the 39-year-old convicted rapist jumped bail and fled during his trial in January.

Luster was located by bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman in western Mexico, according to authorities in Ventura, Calif., where the cosmetics empire heir had been tried.

A spokeswoman for Chapman, Beth Smith, told ABCNEWS that Luster was captured by Chapman, his sons — Leland and Tim Chapman — and a B-list actor, Boris Krutonog, near the western Mexican beach resort of Puerto Vallarta in the presence of several witnesses.

Mexican police arrested the bounty hunters as well as two members of a television crew who were present at the time of the apprehension, according to The Associated Press.

Although bounty hunters enjoy police-like powers in the United States, under Mexican law, arrests by bounty hunters are considered kidnappings.

According to Smith, Chapman had received leads that the wanted cosmetics heir was in Mexico and had tracked his car and the hotel he was staying in. The capture came after one of Chapman's sons spotted him near Puerto Vallarta, said Smith, and then called his father, who proceeded to nab him.

The great-grandson of cosmetics mogul Max Factor, Luster fled his trial in January during a holiday recess and was subsequently convicted of multiple counts of rape, poisoning and drug possession involving three women.

He was sentenced in absentia to 124 years in prison.

Earlier this month, an appellate court in Ventura denied an attempt by Luster's lawyers to appeal his conviction, saying the cosmetics heir had forfeited his right to appeal by jumping bail.

In an interview with ABCNEWS.com, Luster's attorney Roger Diamond said that since the California state attorney general had challenged his appeal on the grounds that Luster was a fugitive, his capture could help the appeals process to go forward. "If he is captured, he could pursue his appeal," said Diamond.