1.   The arrests came after a tip-off from a member of the public.

2.   The arrest has come as a terrible shock.

3.   The arrests came soon after they had sent an open letter to Sassou Nguesso calling for multiparty democracy.

4.   Their arrest came only days after they set a new world record for cycling at altitude across the Himalayas.

5.   Another official said that the arrest of Gutierrez came as a surprise because no one in the administration could recall any indication that he was on the take.

6.   At a news conference in Boston attended by top law enforcement officials, US Attorney Donald K. Stern said the arrests came after years of teamwork by overseas authorities.

7.   Authorities said more arrests may come.

8.   But perhaps the most unusual arrest came two weeks ago.