Fugitive, Amateur Rapper Who Made Song About Evading Police, is Captured

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force captured a wanted fugitive—and amateur rapper—early Wednesday morning. 

Anthony “Face” Willis, 32, was wanted for attempted murder and for failing to appear on an earlier felonious assault charge. Willis was featured on Patch sites as the task force’s fugitive of the week for Dec. 3. 

Apparently, Willis was pretty confident that he wouldn’t get caught. According to a release from the task force, he published a rap song called “On the Run” on YouTube last month.

The video includes lots of explicit language, a gun and suspected use of narcotics. Children are also featured in the video with Willis. 

“It is always more satisfying to capture a fugitive that believes they can’t be found,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in the press release. “We are happy to assist in bringing this dangerous fugitive to justice and will continue to pursue those that evade the law and remain a danger to our communities.”

The East Cleveland Police Department wanted Willis on an attempted murder charge after an incident this summer. Willis allegedly shot a man nine times after an argument in June. 

Early the morning of Dec. 19, task force members learned that Willis might be staying in the 1200 block of E. 133^rd St. in East Cleveland. Members of the task force, the East Cleveland Police Department and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office entered the home at around 3 a.m. Willis was found hiding under debris in the basement. 

See all of the task force’s wanted fugitives listed on Patch here. If you have information on any of them, contact the task force at 1-866-4WANTED or text a tip to 847411 (tip411), keyword WANTED. Tips can remain anonymous.