NORWALK (AP) — A Maine man has been taken into custody in connection with the 1986 killing of an 11-year-old Connecticut girl who was raped and strangled as she walked home from her school, police announced Thursday.

Maine State Police arrested Marc Karun, 53, as he left his home in Stetson on Wednesday morning. Karun is being detained as a fugitive from justice and is expected to be charged with murder and sexual assault when he is brought to Connecticut, officials said.

Kathleen Flynn disappeared on Sept. 23, 1986, while walking home from Ponus Ridge Middle School in Norwalk. When she didn't make it home at her usual time, her mother, Esther Flynn, went looking for her at the school and surrounding neighborhoods, but didn't find her and reported her missing to police, authorities said.

A large search party was formed and found the girl's body early the next morning, more than 100 feet from a path near the school that Kathleen used to walk home most days.

Details of Karun's arrest were not released. It wasn't clear if he has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations.

Public records show he previously lived in several towns in Connecticut, including Norwalk. He is listed on Maine's sex offender registry as having a 1989 conviction for sexual assault in Connecticut.

Norwalk police released a statement Thursday by Kathleen's family, who thanked investigators.

"This continues to be a very difficult time for us and we do not wish to make any further comments," the statement said. "We ask the media to please respect our privacy."

Norwalk police said two of their officers were in Maine on Wednesday to execute an arrest warrant for Karun. They did not elaborate. Officials previously said they were reviewing the evidence using recent advancements in DNA technology.

Norwalk police said they had received numerous tips over the years as the case went unsolved. At one point, a flyer was made showing sketches of three white males with long hair who were seen near the school in a green vehicle with New York plates. But police said it was possible the men weren't involved.