A man accused of a crime spree which started with a murder of a Salvation Army worker and ended with a series of carjackings, assaults and a shooting in Lakewood has been indicted.
William Jones, 27, is accused to shooting and killing Jared Plesec at the Euclid Beach Villa apartments. Authorities say Jones walked up to 21-year-old Plesec while he was discussing the Bible with another person in the lobby of the apartment building, and shot him point blank on the side of the head.
Police: Suspect killed man at Euclid Beach apartment then went on carjacking spree around Cleveland
21-year-old homicide victim remembered at Salvation Army Temple Corps
"While all murders offend the peace and dignity of our community, this crime is especially cold-blooded and appears to be racially motivated," said Prosecutor Michael O'Malley. "Our office is consulting with federal prosecutors to see if this homicide and subsequent crime spree qualify as hate crimes and/or civil rights crimes under the federal statutes."
The charges in his 35-count indictment includes aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, burglary, vandalism, discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises, grand theft and failure to comply.
Timeline: Violent carjacking spree spanned from east to west side, several cars taken at gunpoint
Man accused of killing Salvation Army worker, going on carjacking spree was on probation
