For Immediate Release

Akron, OH – Andre Colvin, age 39, was wanted by the Akron Police Department in the October 2007 shooting death of Anthony Jackson, age 32, of Bachtel St. in Akron. The Akron Police Department, through the course of their investigation, identified Colvin as a suspect for the homicide, and charged him with murder.

In November of 2007, the Akron Police Department referred the case to the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) for assistance with locating and apprehending Colvin. The NOVFTF has spent hundreds of man hours over the last several years searching for Colvin both in the Akron area and across the nation.

In May 2010, the NOVFTF added Colvin to their most wanted “Dangerous Dozen” list. His picture was profiled in numerous media outlets resulting in numerous tips. Investigators were able to piece together information and determined that Colvin had fled to the area of Houston, TX.

Earlier today, Colvin was apprehended in Houston, TX, by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force based on a lead sent from the NOVFTF in Akron. Colvin had been living under the assumed identity of Melvin Lee and it appears had been hiding out in the Houston area since 2008. Pay stubs from numerous jobs including Starbucks and Target and a book on how to change your identity were found during the search. Houston Task Force Officers knew it was Colvin as soon as they saw him, stating that you may be able to change your identity but your face remains the same. Colvin is currently being held at the Harris County Jail awaiting extradition back to Ohio.

Akron Police Chief Craig Gilbride stated, “This proves you can run but can’t hide forever. Working together, we were able to capture this most wanted fugitive and now bring him to justice.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.

The NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:
Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department
Boston Heights Village Police Department, Brimfield Township Police Department, Brunswick Police Department, Brunswick Hills Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Kent Police Department, Medina Police Department, New Franklin Police Department, Northfield Village Police Department, Norton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Ravenna Police Department, Reminderville Police Department, Stow Police Department, Twinsburg Police Department, United States Marshals Service, United States Secret Service, University of Akron Police Department, Wadsworth Police Department.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov

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America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency