As of 4:15 p.m. EDT Wednesday, former Taupa Lithuanian Credit Union CEO Alex Spirikaitis was still atlarge and authorities in Cleveland pleaded with the public toassist in his capture.

“We are really making a plea to the public to look at hispicture and if they see him or have any idea as to his whereabouts,to give us a call,” FBI Special Agent Vicki Anderson toldCredit Union Times.

The FBI has released Spirikaitis' driver's license photoin an attempt to apprehend him.

Local police apparently were in a standoff with Spirikaitis on Tuesday evening after arriving athis home to arrest him at around 8 p.m. However, when authoritiesentered the home the next morning, he was not there.

Anderson said when police approached the home Tuesday evening,Spirikaitis' relatives “gave every indication” the CEO – accused ofembezzlement in the failure of the $23.6 million credit union – wasinside.

“Family members left the house with us and we thought, from theinformation we gathered, that he was not going to willingly comeout,” she said.

For safety's sake in the residential neighborhood, Anderson saidauthorities waited until daybreak for tactical teams to move in.Additionally, Anderson said, the home is “huge,” which played apart in the decision to wait until daylight before entering.

The official charge – making false credit institution entries –is an unusual one. Anderson said the charge falls under theembezzlement category, and because it is one that could be quicklyproven, FBI officials utilized the charge so authorities couldquickly execute an arrest warrant.

Still, Anderson said authorities did not expect Spirikaitis topose a flight risk.

The FBI agent also said Spirikaitis may have not actedalone.

“This is a very early on investigation, so we have a lot morework to do,” she said. “If people have information about Mr.Spirikaitis and his whereabouts, but also about any dealings thatoccurred (at the credit union), and wish to come in and talk aboutit, we're more than open to that.”

The Ohio Department of Financial Institutions seized the Cleveland credit union Friday after determining itwas insolvent and had no prospect for restoring viable operations.The DFI named the NCUA liquidating agent.