Firearm and drugs seized in arrest of wanted federal fugitive in Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - The Lake County Narcotics Agency shared on social media Tuesday a firearm and drugs were seized in the arrest of a wanted federal fugitive.

According to the post, on Monday afternoon around 5:15 p.m., the Lake County Narcotics Agency (LCNA) and the Eastlake Police Department were conducting a surveillance on a wanted federal fugitive.

The suspect’s vehicle, a white Volkswagen Tiguan, was observed to be unoccupied in a shopping center parking lot, and the suspect, a 25-year-old Euclid man, was believed to be inside a nearby store.

The name of the fugitive was not provided by the LCNA.

Agents were aware that the suspect was wanted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service on a weapons charge and by the Willowick Police Department for obstruction, LNCA said.

The suspect was also involved in two prior drug related fleeing and eluding incidents.

As the suspect exited a store and walked towards his vehicle, agents began to block his car in with unmarked police cars.

LCNA said the man saw this occurring and ran to his vehicle, entering and attempted to flee.

Two LCNA agents successfully blocked the car, but both unmarked vehicles sustained damage as the suspect was attempting to flee.

After his vehicle was blocked in, the suspect attempted to run from the agents on foot, but he was tackled by an agent and apprehended.

As a result of the arrest, several items were recovered inside his car:

• A loaded Berretta 9mm handgun
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Fentanyl
• Additional items were seized as evidence

The man was taken to the Lake County Jail and held on LCNA charges of possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

LCNA said additional charges will be presented to the Lake County Grand Jury at a later date.

The man was arraigned on Tuesday in at the Willoughby Municipal Court with his bond set at $500,000 and is currently being held at the Lake County Jail.