Marshals seek fugitive who filed false reports

6/4/2011

A wanted fugitive has been taunting law enforcement officers by calling in false tips about his whereabouts.

David Slover, 38, of Toledo has been on the run since July 23, 2009, said U.S. Deputy Marshal Rodney Hartzell of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.

Slover, a convicted sex offender, also has been found guilty of failure to verify and corruption of a minor in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. Mr. Hartzell said Slover’s criminal record also includes charges for aggravated burglary and assault.

The marshal’s office received a tip Wednesday that Slover was back in Toledo after he fled the state. Marshals tracked him to his family’s home, where he jumped out a back window and ran into a wooded area near Ravine Park. The task force searched the area for four hours, but was unable to locate Slover.

Starting around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Slover made more than 10 calls to the marshal’s office and Toledo police, giving false information about his whereabouts, Mr. Hartzell said. “He’ll call and say, ‘I saw Slover walk into a house,’ “ Mr. Hartzell said.

Slover later called 911 to say his family’s home was on fire. He also called Columbia Gas to say there was a gas leak at the home and called a car towing service to have his family’s vehicles towed, Mr. Hartzell said.

“This guy is out of control,” Mr. Hartzell said. “When you start calling emergency services and filing false reports, that’s the last straw. This guy needs to go to jail.”

Authorities are offering up to $500 for information leading to Slover’s arrest.

Slover is 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs about 210 pounds. He has long brown hair and possibly has a beard. There is a tattoo on his neck that reads “CAT.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Toledo Crime Stoppers at 419-245-1111.