(Toledo News Now) - A dangerous fugitive was taken into custody on the Fourth of July after a standoff with police and SWAT teams.
On July 4 around 10:30 a.m. members of the U.S. Marshals and Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force went to an address in the 5600 block of White Street in Cleveland, in attempts to arrest 29-year-old fugitive Melvin Allen.
Allen had been wanted by the Lake County Sheriff's Office and Painesville Police Department since October 2012, for warrants charging him with three counts of rape, burglary, and gross sexual imposition.
After several months of investigation developed no promising leads, investigators called on the public's help by making Allen fugitive of the week. Tips began flooding in and led the task force to numerous locations in Cleveland, Ashtabula and Painesville.
On Wednesday, investigators learned they had just missed Allen at an Ashtabula residence and were told he fled to an unknown location in Cleveland.
Early Thursday morning, a concerned citizen provided the task force with information that led them to the White Street address.
When task force members arrived at the house, they could hear people upstairs. They began talking to a female that was known to be Allen's girlfriend.
After almost 10 minutes of negotiation, the female came out, but Allen would not. Task force members could see that Allen had entered the attic, however, he refused to speak with officers. Task force members continued to try to talk to Allen and the Cleveland Police Department SWAT was called to assist.
After almost three hours of no contact with Allen in the extreme heat, officers became concerned for his well being. The SWAT began systematically searching the attic and eventually located him.
Allen was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to Painesville, where he was turned over to detectives from the police department.
"I am proud of the men and women of the task force, as well as the officers of the Cleveland Police. They could have been spending time with their families for the holiday, but instead chose to work to get this dangerous and violent sex offender off the street," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the NOVFTF at 1-866-4WANTED or text keyword "WANTED" with the tip to TIP411. Tipsters may remain anonymous. A cash reward may be available.
