U.S. Marshals Capture Escaped Accomack Gang Leader

Norfolk, VA – A multi-agency fugitive investigation spanning several states for a well-known Bloods gang leader from Parksley, Virginia, came to an end yesterday afternoon. Tyvon "Teddy" Lyncurtis Smith was arrested in Pocomoke City, Maryland after four weeks on the run.

On January 11, Smith was taken into custody in Accomack County on a firearms charge. During transport, Smith was able to manipulate and remove the handcuffs used to restrain him. After arriving at the Accomack County Jail, law enforcement opened the vehicle door to remove and begin processing Smith on the firearms charge. As soon as the door was opened, Smith took off on foot and disappeared out of sight. Multiple agencies responded but were unable to find Smith immediately following his escape.

Due to Smith's gang ties and danger he poses to the Eastern Shore community, a multi-agency fugitive investigation was launched combining the resources of the U.S. Marshals, Virginia State Police, Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation developed several leads and U.S. Marshals ultimately caught up with Smith on February 7 at a residence in Pocomoke City, Maryland. As members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Forces from Norfolk, VA and Salisbury, MD approached a trailer in the 2000 block of Tulls Corner Road in Pocomoke City, Smith walked out of the front door and surrendered.

This complex investigation is yet another example of the tenacity and the "never give up" attitude displayed by Deputy Marshals and our state and local law enforcement partners all over this great country. I hope the efforts of the investigators in this case will in some way allow our citizens of the Eastern Shore to rest more comfortably tonight,” said U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia Nick E. Proffitt.

Smith is being held at the Worchester County Detention Center, MD, awaiting return to Virginia.

The U.S. Marshals-led Fugitive Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals, Chesapeake Sheriff's Office, Newport News Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department and Norfolk Police Department. The main objective of the task force is to seek out and arrest violent offenders with outstanding federal and state warrants.