Crime Stoppers offers reward to catch man wanted for a homicide, ‘numerous’ felonious assaults in Northeast Ohio

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Several law enforcement agencies will join Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County Thursday afternoon to announce details on a $10,000 reward being offered to help catch a dangerous fugitive.

The U.S. Marshals, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland police and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority police are working together to get Lorenzo Watson off the streets.

Crime Stoppers said the man is armed and wanted in connection with a homicide and numerous felonious assaults.

“Due to the violent and reckless nature of these crimes, and the suspect’s relentless intention to do harm, the apprehension of the individual in paramount,” said Crime Stoppers.

Lorenzo Watson is accused of going on a brutal crime spree in Cuyahoga County, starting back on June 11th.

That’s when CMHA police say he shot a man in the parking lot of an apartment building on 129th and Superior.

Just one day later, police say Watson was involved in another shooting.

This one was in East Cleveland on Delmont Avenue, hospitalizing the victim for weeks.

About one week after that, June 20th, he hit in Cleveland Heights.

Police say he beat a man inside a home with a sledgehammer and took off.

“He ended up crawling out a second story window onto a roof, jumping onto the driveway going down a roadway and neighbors called police when they saw him standing outside, covered in his own blood,” said Captain Jeremy Young with the Cleveland Heights Police Department.

The violence continued on July 6th, this time, turning deadly.

Police say Watson gunned down a man in an apartment building on Terrace Road in East Cleveland in a robbery gone bad.

This time, he had two accomplices to lure the man out of his room.

“We believe that they knew exactly what they were doing before they went to the 7th floor and did it,” said Detective Commander Joseph Marche with the East Cleveland Police Department.

Police say there’s no telling what Watson will do next, and that’s why they need your help.

Crimestoppers and the U.S. Marshals are offering a combined $10,000 reward for any information leading to his arrest.

“Don’t confront him,” said Detective Sergeant Reginald Holcomb with the East Cleveland Police Department. “Call the police. If you see something, say something.”

Police are hoping it will make the difference before Watson strikes again.

You can reach Crimestoppers at 216-252-7463. The number for the U.S. Marshals is 1-866-492-6833. You can stay anonymous.

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