For Immediate Release

Cleveland, OH – Wanted fugitive Derek Woods, age 32, was arrested Monday morning, February 14th at approximately 11:00 am on Cleveland’s east side. Instead of a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day fugitive Derek Woods received a dozen federal agents knocking at his door earlier that morning. Woods, who was at the top of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force’s Dangerous Dozen wanted list, was finally apprehended after alluding police for the past four years. Woods who had recently legally changed his name to Hakeem Makin was wanted on multiple charges by multiple law enforcement agencies. Woods was wanted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, drug trafficking offenses, identity fraud, aggravated theft, and possession of criminal tools. Woods was also wanted by the Richfield Police Department on charges of Larceny. The U.S. Marshals led Task Force had been searching for Woods for quite some time, prompting them to make Woods one of their most wanted fugitives. The case was adopted from an incident which occurred in Richfield in 2007. The Task Force spent countless hours of investigation into the case and recently discovered new information which placed Woods back in the Cleveland area. It was believed that Woods fled the state for an unknown period of time before making a return to the area.

Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers discovered information about a suspected address on the 1300 block of E. 88th Street in Cleveland. The Task Force surveilled the residence and the area surrounding the residence for the past few days in the hope of positively identifying Woods. Once confirmation was reached that Woods had been known to visit that location a plan of action went into effect. The Task Force set up a perimeter around the residence as Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers attempted to gain entry. After entering the residence, Woods and another unidentified male were found in the stairwell. Woods self surrendered to the Officers and was arrested without incident.

Criminal Investigator Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Koerbel stated “This arrest has been a long time coming. The Task Force Officers and Deputy Marshals that had a hand in this case should really be commended. They worked relentlessly on the case and left no stone unturned. Mr. Woods knew he was facing a severe penalty if he got caught and he tried as hard as he could for as long as he could to evade law enforcement. In the end, very few get away from our Task Force. It is a credit to all to include all law enforcement agencies, the media, and the public calling in the tips that these fugitives are not safe anywhere.”

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. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Bratenahl Police Department, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Chagrin Falls Police Department, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Village Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Westlake Police Department, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and the U.S. Secret Service.

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

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