U.S. Marshals Arrest Suspect Wanted in Numerous Violent Crimes in Cuyahoga County

Cleveland, OH – Late this afternoon, members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department (CMHA PD) arrested Lorenzo Watson, 56.

Watson was wanted by numerous agencies in the Cleveland area:

• June 11th - CMHA PD, felonious assault shooting where Watson shot a male in the back with a sawed-off shotgun in the parking lot of an apartment building (male sustained serious injuries).
• June 12th - East Cleveland Police Department, felonious assault shooting where Watson shot a male in the stomach with a sawed-off shotgun (male still hospitalized).
• June 20th - Cleveland Heights Police Department, felonious assault where Watson beat a male in the head with a sledgehammer (male still hospitalized).
• June 22nd - U.S. Marshals Service, federal supervised release violations.
• June 22nd - U.S. Marshals Service, federal supervised release violations.

Yesterday afternoon, members of these law enforcement agencies held a press conference with Crimestoppers of Cuyahoga County to highlight the violence put forth in and around the city of Cleveland by Watson. An increase in reward money was offered due to the increasing violence by the suspect.

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force followed up on tips that were called in after the press conference and this afternoon they were able to track Watson down to a home in the 1200 block of East 125th St. Watson attempted to hide in the attic of the home but eventually complied with officers when notice of a police K9 was made. Additionally, one female was arrested out of the home for active warrants through Cleveland

Police, and another was arrested by CMHA PD for obstruction of justice and attempting to hide Watson.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Crimestoppers of Cuyahoga County is an integral partner to all law enforcement agencies across Cuyahoga County. This suspect was a violent menace to our communities and with the help of Crimestoppers and the public he will be behind bars for a very long time.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a USMS web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.