U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Fugitive on the Run for 6 Months

Mansfield, OH – This afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Andre Powell, age 21, hiding in a residence in Mansfield, Ohio. Powell was wanted for a parole violation on an original charge of burglary, a felony of the 2nd degree, and a probation violation on an original charge of receiving stolen property, a felony of the 5th degree.

In June 2014, Task Force Officers initiated a fugitive investigation on Powell and after numerous interviews and lack of cooperation from family and associates, Task Force Officers made Powell a ‘Most Wanted’ in the Mansfield News Journal. Powell was run in the newspaper as a ‘Most Wanted’ fugitive for 4 consecutive months, receiving very little information until today, when the task force received information that Powell was staying with his girlfriend at a residence in the 400 block of Sherman Ave, Mansfield.

Task Force Officers made contact with the occupant of the residence and then located Powell hiding in the attic. While attempting to arrest Powell, he failed to comply with police commands and a Task Force Officer deployed his Taser, striking Powell, enabling Officers to safely make the arrest. Powell was handcuffed behind his back and walked out of the residence to a police vehicle when Powell shouldered a Task Force Officer causing that Officer to let go of Powell. Powell then took off running, while handcuffed, until Task Force Officers caught up to him 3 blocks away. Powell was then transported to the Richland County Jail in a caged Mansfield PD vehicle. Powell is now facing additional charges of resisting arrest and escape, a felony of the 2nd degree.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliot stated, “It is obvious this fugitive was willing to do anything he could to evade arrest and irresponsibly put our team member’s safety at risk. I am thankful no one was seriously injured and relieved this fugitive is now facing the justice he deserves.”

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tip to TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force - Richland County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Municipal Probation, Ashland Police Department, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Galion Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.