CLEVELAND — An armed and dangerous fugitive wanted for multiple violent crimes, including a homicide, is on the loose, and several Northeast Ohio law enforcement agencies held a joint news conference Thursday afternoon to alert the public to the man described as a menace and to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
You can watch the news conference in the player below:
Authorities said the suspect, Lorenzo Watson, 56, should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Watson is a Black male weighing around 223 pounds and is 5 feet, 11 inches tall.
Watson is wanted by police for the following crimes:
- A June 11 assault in East Cleveland on a CMHA property where he allegedly shot a man in the back with a sawed-off shotgun.
- A June 12 assault in East Cleveland where he allegedly shot a man in the stomach with a shotgun.
- A June 20 assault in Cleveland Heights where he allegedly attacked a man with a small sledgehammer.
- A July 6 homicide in East Cleveland in an apartment in the 14000 block of Terrace Road was shot to death during what appears to be a robbery. Two other individuals were involved; another man, and also a woman, who is currently in custody.
- Watson is a person of interest in several other violent crimes within East Cleveland. East Cleveland Police described him as a “menace” who needs to be taken into custody as soon as possible.
They said it appears the violence of his crimes is escalating and becoming more brazen. He may frequent the area of 12900 Superior Avenue in East Cleveland but he is on the move.
"He is mobile. He’s not staying in one specific place. He has to know law enforcement is looking for him," said East Cleveland Police Detective Sgt. Reginald Holcomb. "We want people to contact the police when they see him, don’t confront him. Call the police. If you see something, say something."
U.S. Marshal Chris Snack said Watson has a lengthy criminal past and is on federal parole for weapons and drug charges.
"Due to the violent and reckless nature of these crimes and the suspect's relentless intention to do harm, the apprehension of the individual is paramount," authorities said.
A $10,000 reward may be available for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information about Watson's whereabouts is asked to call the U.S. Marshals at 1-866-492-6833 or Crime Stoppers at 216-25-CRIME.
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