Cleveland Homicide Suspect Arrested in Solon Hotel

Cleveland, OH – Early this morning, members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Jerome Rivers, 32. A warrant was issued for Rivers on Monday of this week for the August 27 homicide of Theo Vance Echols, 32.

Before dawn on Saturday, August 27, police were called to the area of 3700 East 50th St., in Cleveland's South Broadway neighborhood. When officers arrived, they found the victim, Theo Echols, with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers learned that a verbal altercation had taken place shortly before the shooting.

Once the warrant was issued for Rivers investigators with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force immediately began working the case. Officers were able to narrow their search for Rivers today to a hotel in the 6000 block of Enterprise Parkway in Solon. Rivers was arrested there without incident. A firearm was also recovered from the hotel room.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, "Cleveland homicide Detectives work tirelessly on the open homicide cases in the city. Our task force will be there to find and arrest these suspects, whether they are one city away or 20 states away. We will help bring these violent fugitives to justice."

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a USMS Web Tip. 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, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid 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, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.