The incident began at approximately 8:48 a.m. when the Marion County Central Dispatch Center received a request for assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service regarding the apprehension of a suspect in the 8600-block of Larue-Green Camp Road.
Upon the arrival of local deputies, U.S. Marshals reported the fugitive had been located at a nearby residence but were uncertain if he had fled inside or into a wooded area to the north. Authorities were advised the suspect might be armed.
A coordinated, thorough search was immediately launched involving the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals, and a helicopter from the Columbus Division of Police.
The investigation eventually led law enforcement to a residence on West Vine Street in the Village of Larue. Following several announcements and a brief tactical advance by the Marion Special Response Team, the fugitive exited the residence. He was taken into custody without further incident.
The arrested individual is identified as Mark Jason Purtee of Huntington, West Virginia. He was wanted on a felony warrant from Cabell County, West Virginia, for one count of First Degree Sexual Assault on a child under 12 years of age.
Purtee has been transported to the Multi-County Correctional Center, where he will be held awaiting extradition back to West Virginia.
Participating Agencies:
* Marion County Sheriff’s Office
* U.S. Marshals Service
* Marion Police Department
* Ohio State Highway Patrol, Marion Post
* Columbus Division of Police (Air Unit)
* Marion Special Response Team