Most Wanted includes drive-by shooting suspect also sought in N.Y.

MANSFIELD — The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force believes a suspect sought in a drive-by shooting, and also wanted by authorities in Yonkers, New York, is in the Mansfield area.

According to Deputy U.S. Marshal Russ Wilbur, Shameek Price is wanted by the Mansfield Police Department and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force for second-degree felonious assault, stemming from a drive by shooting that authorities believe Price and others were involved in a couple months ago in Mansfield.

“At the time of the shooting, Price was also on bond for another case for receiving stolen property and has since gone on the run and failed to comply with the conditions of his bond, resulting in a bench warrant out of Richland County,” Wilbur said. “Price also has a third arrest warrant out of Yonkers, New York for assault, with nationwide extradition.”

Price should be considered armed and dangerous and investigators believe that he is still in the Mansfield area.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a $1,000 reward for information that directly leads to the arrest of Price and all tipsters may remain anonymous. Anyone with information as to Price’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the US Marshals 24-hour tip line at 1-866-4-WANTED (1-866-492-6833) or the Richland County Division Task Force Office at 419-774-3565.

Tipsters may also text the keyword “WANTED” and send a tip to 847411, or go to a link at www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives.

Shameek Price, 24, is 5-foot-11, 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is wanted for second-degree felonious assault, a bond revocation and another assault in Yonkers, New York. Authorities say he has ties to Mansfield and Yonkers.

Eric Contreras, 26, is 5-foot-10, 176 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is sought for second-degree felony drug trafficking. Officials believe he has ties to Mansfield, Willard, and Shelby.

Hunter Merritt, 31, is 5-foot-9, 175 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is wanted for third-degree felony weapons under disability. Authorities say he has ties to the Mansfield area.

Ladasia J. Brooks, 23, is 5-foot-4, 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She is wanted for first-degree felony aggravated burglary. Officials say Brooks has ties to the Mansfield and Columbus Ohio areas.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of these fugitives is asked to call the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 419-774-3565 or 1-866-4-WANTED.

People also can text the keyword “WANTED” and send a tip to 847411, or go to a link at www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives. Reward money is available, but tipsters also can remain anonymous.