By Holly Menino

EUGENE, Ore. -- It's been almost seven years since Eugene Police Detective Steve Williams thought about 32-year-old Nicholas Gowell, but a recent phone call from a detective with the state police in Maine quickly changed that.

"She called and said she knew he'd been out in Eugene for quite awhile. She said she knew from checking the NCIC database that he had warrants out of Eugene," said Eugene Police Detective Steve Williams.

Gowell first came across Williams' radar in 2003 when he was arrested for identity theft and credit card fraud. A few months later, he was arrested and convicted on drug charges. Then in early 2004, he was arrested for burglarizing an apartment in the West University neighborhood. Before his case could be prosecuted, he fled to his home state of Maine.

"He was involved in some more checks, credit cards, and he has a burglary warrant out of Maine and that's essentially why I got the phone call," said Williams.

Gowell is also wanted out of Riverside County, California for a 2002 burglary charge. With burglary warrants in three states and a seven-year criminal history, old habits seem to die hard.

"He's got a three state burglary record. He's not unwilling to get what he wants, break into people's houses, use their credit cards and just go wherever he wants to go and do whatever he wants to do," said Williams.

Gowell might be back in Lane County. According to Maine State Police, he arrived here via Greyhound bus at the end of December.

"This guys obviously got a history in Eugene. He's familiar with the area. He's got at least one contact here his ex-girlfriend. That's probably the draw to come back here is the child," said Williams.

While Gowell's past doesn't show a history of violence, police are warning the public to be careful.

"He had made some comments apparently back in Maine that he was coming here for violent purposes, but nothing specific as to what he was going to do when he got here, but obviously he wasn't a happy man when he left," said Williams.

If you do see 32-year-old Nicholas Gowell, don't confront him, call the police instead.

If you know where 32-year-old Nicholas Gowell is, call the Crimestoppers line at 1-877-876-TIPS. You could earn up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.