New unit to target fugitives wanted on any felony warrants

Know where a fugitive is hiding? Call 1-866-4WANTED.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A new fugitive unit now has the power of U.S. marshals. It consists of seven city police officers and four Mahoning County deputy sheriffs.
U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott said the unit, deputized as marshals Friday, will continue the efforts of the summer's multiagency Gun Reduction Interdiction Program. It will be headed up by Deputy U.S. Marshal Jeff Irwin.
During GRIP, which lasted from late June to early September, the city recorded one homicide. During the same 10-week period in 2002, the city had 10 homicides.
Elliott, based in Cleveland, said the unit will target all Mahoning County fugitives wanted on felony warrants. It will consist of deputy sheriffs, city police, deputy U.S. marshals and Adult Parole Authority officers.
"Hopefully, it will deter criminal activity," Elliott said Friday.
The new unit includes Deputy Sheriffs Willie Seay, Jeff Duzzny, David Aey and Edward Mitchell and the Youngstown Police Department Street Crimes Unit -- Detective Sgt. Pat Kelly and Patrolmen Mike Anderson, Ronald Barber, Marc Gillette, Tony Vitullo, Brian Voitus and Dave Wilson.
What to do
Elliott said funding may be available soon from the U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C., and from a federally funded Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services grant.
Elliott said anyone knowing the whereabouts of a fugitive should call 1-866-4WANTED, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
Callers can remain anonymous and rewards are available, the U.S. marshal said.
Sheriff's Maj. Michael Budd said the fugitive unit will be based at the sheriff's department. Members will be paid by their respective departments and reimbursed for overtime hours through the federally funded OCJS grant if it is awarded, he said.
Lt. Robin Lees, YPD spokesman, said the new unit will be a cooperative effort. Because marshals can arrest anyone for anything, such as lower-end felonies, the new unit will have more flexibility than the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force, headed by the FBI, which targets those wanted for violent crimes, he said.
meade@vindy.com