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Florida fugitive caught hiding out in Ohio with his 2 young daughters

Was wanted for beating a man with a wrench
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CLEVELAND — A fugitive from Florida wanted for allegedly beating a 28-year-old man with a wrench was captured in Ohio where he was found hiding out with his two 6-year-old daughters.

The man, Ramon Medina Santiago, was wanted out of Lee County, Florida for an assault that happened on Jan. 9.

Authorities say Santiago and some other people were riding motorcycles and "causing disorder for other drivers." When one of the drivers tried to get away from the group, Santiago and the group allegedly hit him with a wrench and their helmets.

Nearby bystanders stopped the assault, and Santiago and the others drove off.

Police later identified Santiago as a suspect, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday, authorities said. U.S. Marshals learned he fled to Ohio with his two daughters, and contacted members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. Officers here immediately began searching for Santiago, and within hours, he was captured in the 2100 block of West Boulevard in Cleveland.

Santiago had his twin 6-year-old daughters with him. They were turned over to Cuyahoga County Children Services and then sent back to family in Florida.

“Not only are we pleased to have this violent, reckless fugitive off the streets, but to recover the two girls safely is a win for everyone involved. I am appreciative of the officers in Florida and the teams here in Ohio for their dedication to the missions of arresting fugitives and recovering endangered children," U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said.

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