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James M. Wahlrab, United States Marshal for the
Southern District of Ohio, announces the arrest of Shawn Brookins. Police
allege that 23 year old Brookins shot a man to death in Wheeling, WV.
Brookins is now in custody after being on the run for almost two months.
Wheeling Police say that following the March 16, 2008 murder, Brookins
loaded up a Uhaul and fled the area with his girlfriend. U.S. Marshals
contacted the Wheeling, WV Police Department and offered their assistance.
In late April, Brookins was profiled on America’s Most Wanted and the tips
came pouring in. The fugitive hunting, multi-agency task force known as the
Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) which is led by the
U.S. Marshals Service, received information that Brookins might be in the
Dayton area. Through solid police work, U.S. Marshals were able to pinpoint
Brookins to an apartment in Dayton, where U.S. Marshals say he was staying
with friends. On May 15, 2008, SOFAST set up surveillance around the area.
When Brookins came out of the apartment building he had his hood up, trying
to keep a low profile. U.S. Marshals say Brookins got into a vehicle with
his girlfriend and began to drive away -- but he didn't get far. U.S.
Marshals say they conducted a traffic stop shortly after 6:00 p.m. and took
him into custody without incident. Brookins’ girlfriend was temporarily
detained and later released.
The U.S. Marshals Dayton SOFAST has been in
operation since October 1, 2007. Since its inception, the Dayton SOFAST has
arrested over 450 fugitives and cleared over 1097 warrants. The U.S.
Marshals Service was America’s first federal law enforcement agency and each
year arrests more fugitives than all other federal law enforcement agencies
combined. |
