Two Men Arrested Wed. In Connection With Separate Cleveland Murders

CLEVELAND, OH —The U.S. Marshals Service announced that on Wednesday members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested two suspects in connection with two separate Cleveland murders.

Torrez Smith, 23, was arrested Wednesday morning at an associate's home in the 9400 block of Cherry Tree Drive in Strongsville, according to U.S. Marshals.

Smith was wanted in connection with the Jan. 8 murder of Alivia Leeth, who was killed in a drive-by shooting near the 3900 block of Broadway Ave. in Cleveland, authorities said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mark James was arrested by members of the task force at an address near the 10200 block of Anderson Ave. in Cleveland, the marshals service said.

James, 31, was wanted in connection with the Jan. 1 murder of Darius Sikes Jr. According to police, Sikes was found in the 14900 block of Kinsman Road in Cleveland with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen area.

The NOVFTF is comprised of several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including: the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department.

"The Cleveland Division of Police homicide unit continues to produce outstanding work and our task force is doing our best to get these violent fugitives off our Cleveland streets," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the task force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or they can submit a web tip. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.