LAS VEGAS — A fugitive accused of raping a 3-year-old girl on videotape was arrested quietly during a traffic stop, telling the officer, “I’m tired of running,” police said.

Chester Arthur Stiles, 37, was pulled over late yesterday in Henderson for not having a license plate. He admitted his identity after police said his license looked suspicious.

“He said, ‘I’m Chester Stiles, the guy you’re looking for,'” a Henderson police officer, Mike Dye, said. “He said, ‘I’m tired of running.'”

A Las Vegas police captain, Vincent Cannito, said Mr. Stiles has been wanted since October 5 on warrants issued for 21 felony charges in connection with the acts seen on the videotape. The charges include lewdness with a minor, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault.

The videotape, found in the rural Nevada town of Pahrump last month, had prompted an equally intense search for the young girl who appeared in it. Police with little to go on had encouraged news organizations to broadcast the haunting image of the 3-year-old. When the now-7-year-old was found on September 28, authorities shifted their resources to finding Mr. Stiles.

Officer Dye said he stopped Mr. Stiles at about 7 p.m. on a busy thoroughfare just outside Las Vegas driving a white sedan with no license plates.

Mr. Stiles, who had been portrayed by authorities as a dangerous, knife-wielding survivalist, provided an expired California drivers license with a photo that Officer Dye said looked “suspicious.”

“The picture on the license didn’t quite match the gentleman in the vehicle,” Officer Dye said.

After further questioning, the officer said Mr. Stiles revealed his true name. Officer Dye said Mr. Stiles cooperated and didn’t resist. Officer Dye called for backup and another officer arrived to handcuff Mr. Stiles.