When former Leesburg resident and accused serial stabber Elias Abuelazam was extradited from Georgia to Michigan last week, he arrived by on a small plane, wearing shackles and a bulletproof vest, and was quickly surrounded more than a dozen police officers.

His transit cost Michigan taxpayers thousands of dollars. Area authorities say cost is a big factor in deciding whether to extradite a fugitive — and suspects in minor crimes often aren’t extradited, unless they’re caught in a nearby state.