Police searched Saturday for a Union County man who was fleeing officers after he was arrested and handcuffed on attempted murder charges.
People might recognize the man, if only because “he may still be in handcuffs,” Monroe police said on Facebook.
“He is considered armed and dangerous,” police said of 42-year-old Waxhaw resident Cleveland Lamont Waters. “If you see him, do not approach him and call 911 immediately.”
Waters is accused of shooting a person multiple times just after 4:30 a.m. Friday on English Street, police said.
The victim ran to nearby Winchester Avenue, where he collapsed, police said. Police did not release the name of the person who was shot, but said the person was hospitalized and “expected to survive.”
Monroe police, Union County sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement were “actively searching” for Waters Friday evening after his escape, according to a Facebook post from Monroe police Saturday morning.
Waters was last seen wearing black pants and a red shirt, police said.
Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Waters and tracked him to a home on Locklyn Road in Waxhaw on Friday evening, police said.
Monroe police, Waxhaw police and the Union County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team executed a search warrant at the home and detained him inside, investigators said.
Officers seized multiple firearms and illegal narcotics found in the home, Monroe police said.
“Before Waters could be booked into jail, he escaped custody, still in handcuffs, in the area of Carroll Street, Rolling Hill Drive and King Arthur Drive,” police said in a Facebook post.
Officers “conducted a widespread search of the area overnight using K9s and other advanced search techniques and technology” but were unable to find him, police said.
“Detectives believe Waters fled the area,” the police Facebook post said.
Monroe Police have requested additional resources from surrounding agencies, along with state and federal agencies.
Waters is wanted on charges including attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
Police urge the public to call 911 if they see Waters or leave a message on the Union County Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line, 704-283-5600. A cash reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for anonymous information leading to an arrest, police said.
