For Immediate Release

Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is pleased to announce the addition of three new agencies to its membership. U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Westlake Police Department, and the Rocky River Police Department to their fugitive hunting family. Both the Sheriff’s Office and Westlake Police have pledged to lend one of their officers on a full time basis to join the Task Force, and Rocky River Police will assist on a part-time basis. Over the past five years, Marshal Elliott has taken great strides to incorporate as many of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as possible to form the most complete and effective Task Force. With the addition of these new agencies, there is little doubt that the success of the Task Force will reach new heights.

When asked about his thoughts of joining the Task Force, Cuyahoga County Interim Sheriff Frank Bova stated, “It is imperative that all agencies work together in this day and age. The Sheriffs Office is proud of it’s' partnerships with the U.S. Marshals, F.B.I., Cleveland Police and many other agencies that we work with and rely on daily. This is clearly the most efficient way to do modern day police work. Our whole region will not only be safer, it will be better because of this all inclusive approach.”

Westlake Police Chief Richard A. Walling added, “The Westlake Police Department is honored that Patrol Officer John Jereb has been selected to serve with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. As a Task Force Officer, Jereb will locate and arrest wanted persons who have fled prosecution or incarceration and help make Greater Cleveland a safer place for everyone.”

Rocky River Police Chief Don Wagner stated, “The Rocky River Police Department is fully prepared to partner with the U.S. Marshals Service in its mission to take Northern Ohio’s most violent fugitive felons off the streets.”

Marshal Elliott stated, “I am so excited that these agencies have come aboard with us, and the experience that they are bringing to the Task Force will be invaluable. Because we are able to band together to join forces, there literally is no task we cannot accomplish. I think we owe it to the Cleveland community to make our streets as safe as possible and with every agency’s participation we can achieve that goal.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in Cuyahoga County is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Police Department, Rocky River Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Coast Guard.