In a significant milestone for law enforcement in northern Ohio, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott announced that the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) has officially surpassed 60,000 arrests. This achievement was marked by the capture of 40-year-old David Wayne Garner, a man sought by the East Cleveland Police Department for the crime of aggravated murder. According to a release by the U.S. Marshals Service, the fatal shooting occurred on January 20, on Shaw Ave in East Cleveland, with Garner allegedly murdering the victim as he sat in his car.
Garner managed to elude capture on several occasions, but on March 24, he was finally located and arrested during a traffic stop. Since its inception in June 2003, the NOVFTF has pursued over 2,400 homicide suspects, extending their reach not just across northern Ohio but also nationwide, due in large part to the collaborations forged with state and local police departments. Noteworthy captures include the arrest of Andre McCoy, responsible for the tragic death of 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney, and the out-of-state apprehension of Martino Giles, who was on the run for eight years before being taken into custody in Bloomington, Illinois.
Beyond homicides, the Task Force has made significant strides in addressing other violent crimes. Totals show that over 2,500 rape suspects, more than 4,800 robbery suspects, and roughly 9,700 felonious assault suspects have all been apprehended by the NOVFTF. Encounters with such fugitives often reveal they continue to carry firearms while on the run. Adarus Black, a fugitive arrested for the murder of Na’Kia Crawford, was found with an AR-type rifle when taken into custody. To date, the NOVFTF has seized more than 2,900 weapons and has also confiscated upwards of $4.5 million in U.S. currency.
The NOVFTF was established to honor the legacy of Cleveland Police Patrolman Wayne Leon, who was killed in the line of duty by a fugitive. The Task Force began as a few teams within the northern district of Ohio but has since expanded to encompass nine fugitive investigation/apprehension teams, a missing child unit, a cold case unit, and divisions focusing on sex offender investigations, all supported by a full-time training instructor. Garner's arrest as the 60,000th apprehension serves not only as a testament to the efficacy of the Task Force but also as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those in law enforcement as they continue their unyielding pursuit of justice for the victims of violent crimes.
