Akron, OH – The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested fugitive David M. Burkhammer (age 27), at a residence in the 2000 block of 13th Street in Akron, Ohio on October 16, 2008. Burkhammer was wanted out of West Virginia on numerous charges stemming from a high speed vehicle chase that occurred in September 2008. Burkhammer was also wanted by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office for escape, which occurred on March 21, 2008, when he fled a detention facility in Summit County where he was serving a sentence for felonious assault. At that time he had fled to West Virginia to avoid arrest until he came across a routine State Police road check in Clay County, West Virginia. According to Police in West Virginia, Burkhammer came to a stop at the road check, but before he could produce identification, he took off at a high rate of speed. Passengers in the vehicle included his mother-in-law, his pregnant wife, his 5-year-old daughter and his dog.

As many as 12 police cruisers from three counties were involved in the chase that continued for approximately 50 miles. After losing control of his vehicle, Burkhammer fled police on foot and jumped over a guardrail, which took him on a 12-15 foot drop over a rock ledge, and ultimately shattered his right leg in several places. West Virginia police allowed Burkhammer to remain out of custody and in a hospital to get treatment before bringing him in to face his charges. While in the hospital, Burkhammer again decided to flee and came back to Ohio to avoid arrest in West Virginia.

Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force members were able to catch up with Burkhammer yesterday in Akron. Burkhammer was found hiding in the insulation on the attic level of the residence on 13th Street. Also hiding in the same location was another fugitive, Adam Webster, wanted on charges of parole violation. Both were apprehended and transported to the Summit County Jail. Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander states, “Once again law enforcement working together results in a positive arrest benefiting the community.”

Burkhammer is facing six felony charges in West Virginia including two counts each of kidnapping, child neglect, creating the serious risk of injury and malicious assault on a police officer. He is also facing a number of misdemeanor charges including 10 counts each of reckless driving and failure to keep right as well as charges of hit and run, fleeing in a vehicle, driving on a suspended license, speeding and several other traffic violations.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force Akron Division is composed of the following federal, state, and local agencies: Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Boston Heights Village Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Kent Police Department, Lakemore Village Police Department, Norton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office, Reminderville Police Department, Silver Lake Police Department, Stow Police Department, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Twinsburg Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service and University of Akron Police Department.