Cleveland, Ohio– Members of the US Marshals fugitive task force arrested Joanna Vega, 31, and Romaine Tolbert, 36 on Friday. The couple were wanted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Marshals for the murder of 4 year old Eliazar Ruiz. The couple were scheduled to appear in court on January 29, 2019 at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas but they failed to appear and an arrest warrant was issued.
Members of the U.S. Marshals Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team located and arrested the couple at an associate’s home located on the 300 block of East Maumee Street in Adrian, Michigan. U.S. Marshals followed leads across multiple states before discovering the couple’s whereabouts on Friday. The couple will face extradition back to Ohio.
US Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “The men and women from various law enforcement agencies who worked this case from day one refused to give up and swore a commitment in the name of Eliazar Ruiz. Strong partnerships across the board enabled the officers to safely arrest these two desperate fugitives on the run.”
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 – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Metrohealth Police Department and the Cleveland MetroParks Police Department.