THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS	Local Wednesday, June 18, 1997

Basically, Richard DiBenedetto is a low-key paper-pusher with a degree in business administration.

But his persistence and patience resulted in the capture of killer hippie Ira Einhorn in France after 16 years on the lam.

Yesterday, the 48-year-old head of the district attorney's extradition unit -- the man given much of the credit for Einhorn's capture -- was awash in adoration and media attention.

It started with his morning bus ride from Roxborough to Center City, when a passenger recognized DiBenedetto from a front-page newspaper photo, shook his hand and rose to offer a window seat.

As soon as he arrived at the DA's office at 15th and Arch streets, he sat through more than a dozen news interviews till 5 p.m.

``People are really happy that he was caught,'' DiBenedetto said. ``I never expected this much celebration. The justice system has taken a lot of hits. We were fortunate enough to get this one right.''

DiBenedetto seems to share the public's scorn of the man who tried to get away with murder.

``He had this reputation of being very intelligent,'' said the Roxborough native. ``He told a friend the police didn't care about catching a guy who killed his girlfriend. He was arrogant enough to use his own name in Ireland.''

``So, here is this smart, arrogant guy with rich friends helping him. And we showed we could still get him.''

The killer who laughed at the law, and DiBenedetto's contact with the father of Einhorn's victim, Holly Maddux, prompted the most intensive, hands-on investigation of DiBenedetto's career.

``Basically I'm a coordinator. My job is usually routine and mundane,'' he said.

He handles the paperwork of fugitive warrants and extradition of fugitives from other states -- and occasionally abroad. A dozen agencies from the FBI to the county sheriff have units that do the actual detective work and make the arrests.

His interest in this case started soon after Einhorn skipped on $40,000 bail in early 1981 and was located in Ireland later that year.

``I felt if I didn't do something to keep Interpol interested in the case, nothing would be done,'' he explained.

So, he spoke long-distance to the Dublin college professor who was Einhorn's landlord for a time.

``There was no extradition treaty with Ireland, but we sent a detective over there,'' he recalled.

In 1985, after years of follow-up calls from DiBenedetto, the professor saw Einhorn in the college cafeteria. By then, the fugitive was using the name Ben Moore.

``I got his address,'' DiBenedetto remembered. ``By this time there was an extradition treaty. Interpol and the Irish police checked the address the next day, but he was gone.''

Eventually, DiBenedetto interviewed the Canadian girlfriend who had accompanied Einhorn to Ireland and a wealthy Canadian woman who had supported the fugitive for a time.

In December 1988, Einhorn was nearly captured in Stockholm. From the Canadian women, DiBenedetto learned that the fugitive had a new lover in Sweden and surmised it was Anika Flodin, who claimed she was only Einhorn's landlady.

It was the persistent Philadelphian who prodded international police agencies to watch Flodin, a strategy that led to Einhorn's arrest in France on Friday.

``On Monday, we got confirmation from the FBI of the arrest. It was my 22nd anniversary with the DA's office,'' he said.

DiBenedetto is a graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School and the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, where he studied business administration and thought he might work in marketing. After service with the National Guard and jobs that weren't very satisfying, he landed a spot with the district attorney in 1975.

Short and physically fit, DiBenedetto said he's something of a bookworm. He's also a military history buff and a painter and sculptor, specializing in military scenes.

He's married, has a 15-year-old daughter, lives close to his parents and plays a little tennis.

Philadelphia authorities are looking for about 50,000 fugitives. Most are right in the city.

DiBenedetto has enjoyed his fling with fame and sleuthing, but today it's back to paper-pushing.

Philadelphia Online -- Philadelphia Daily News -- Local News Copyright Wednesday, June 18, 1997