Suspect in shooting found

Dog struck by bullet in March had leg amputated

Marcus Crawford, 26, was arraigned on Wednesday for charges related to allegedly shooting a Ger-man shepherd.

After searching for three months, police found Marcus Crawford on Tuesday night, hiding in a closet on Freedom Street.

Crawford, 26, who did not provide an address, was wanted by police for allegedly shooting a German shepherd — apparently for no reason — outside an East Toledo home March 24.

He was arraigned Wednesday in Toledo Municipal Court for violating a protection agreement, aggravated menacing, criminal damaging, assault, firearms discharge restricted, cruelty to animals, false information to a police officer, and obstructing official business. After he pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, bond was set at $20,000.

Police accuse Crawford of shooting the dog while she lay on a porch in the 900 block of Clark Street. The bullet struck the dog’s right humerus bone and ricocheted down to the radius, shattering that bone too. The leg had to be amputated.

Earlier this month, Crawford’s cousin, Gary Crawford, 35, of 840 Utah St., entered an Alford plea in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to obstructing official business. While police sought Marcus Crawford at a home in the 900 block of Clark, Gary Crawford told officers his cousin was not there — but later told a witness that he was in the basement at the time.

Although Gary Crawford initially was accused of threatening to shoot up the witness’s house, that charge was dismissed because the witness recanted her story, officials said. An Alford plea means that the accused does not admit guilt, but concedes there is sufficient evidence to convict.

Gary Crawford was found guilty and sentenced to 90 days at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, with 75 days of credit for time served in the Lucas County jail. He is slated for release today.

The dog, known as June, was first taken to the Lucas County Canine Care & Control, where her leg was amputated with the help of Cutie’s Fund, a special fund to help dogs in the county shelter with high-cost medical needs.

June is now in a foster home with Planned Pethood and has completely healed, according to Executive Director Nikki Morey. The group is working with June on some behavioral issues before she will be ready for adoption.

Contact Alexandra Mester: amester@theblade.com, 419-724-6066, or on Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.