Fugitive Suspected of Murdering Cousin in Oakland is Arrested in Arizona
Photo: Clarence Johnson Jr.
OAKLAND — A fugitive wanted on suspicion of murdering his cousin last month in Oakland has been arrested in Arizona. The suspect remains in custody pending extradition back to Alameda County.
Clarence Johnson Jr., 33, is accused of fatally shooting his cousin in the head, after the two men argued on August 18. Johnson fled from California shortly after the shooting happened.
Upon his return to California, Johnson faces four charges, including murder and firearms charges. In addition, he is also wanted for a parole violation involving a manslaughter conviction in 2010.
Investigators from the Arizona Violent Offender Task Force learned that Johnson might be in Tucson. They followed up leads on possible locations where Johnson might be found.
U.S. Marshals located and arrested Johnson at the Greyhound Bus Station in Tucson on August 23. He was apprehended while entering the bus station. He had in his possession a ticket to Arkansas in an apparent continued effort to flee from the law.
Johnson presently remains in custody at Pima County Jail in Tucson, where he is being held without bail. Meanwhile, accommodations await him at Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
Incidentally, Johnson has two strikes on his record for prior convictions for violent crimes. If he is convicted again, he faces sentencing in a California state prison.
In a prepared statement U.S. Marshal David Gonzales said. “The arrest of Clarence Johnson Jr. is a good example of federal and local law enforcement agencies working together.”
