U.S. Marshals Make Arrest Based On Anonymous Text Tip

Toledo, OH – This afternoon, members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Vincent Monroe, 26, on charges of Aggravated Assault. The arrest came after NOVFTF received an anonymous text tip leading them to where Monroe was hiding.

Monroe is accused of assaulting a Toledo man and causing injury in December 2013. The NOVFTF featured Monroe in the Toledo Blade’s Most Wanted section and this was the first tip received on him.

The Task Force went to the East Side Toledo residence indicated in the tip and found an abandoned house. Officers walked down the street a few houses and saw several people sitting on a porch. Task Force members recognized Monroe, however he ran inside the residence. Officers surrounded the house and ordered Monroe to surrender. He came out of the house and was arrested without incident. Monroe was booked into the Lucas County Jail.

“This arrest is a great example of the success of featuring fugitives on the Most Wanted page and how useful our anonymous text tip line has proven to be.” said Pete Elliott, the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio. “Sometimes people are not comfortable enough to call us directly. With the tip text line, concerned citizens can simply send us a text and remain completely anonymous.”

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 or text keyword WANTED and the tip to TIP411 (847411). Tipsters may remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available. 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 Toledo Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies: Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Toledo Police Department, United States Marshals Service, Fremont Police Department , Holland Police Department , Ottawa Hills Police Department , Perrysburg Township Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.