Crime & Safety

Man Wanted For Attempted Murder, Aggravated Arson

Jason Tait, 28, is accused of firing a gun at his ex-girlfriend's car while she was driving and setting her home on fire.

Cleveland Heights Police are searching for a man accused of shooting a gun at his ex-girlfriend's car while she was driving and setting her home on fire.

Jason Tait, 28, is wanted for attempted murder and aggravated arson charges. He was last seen in the 149th Street and St. Clair area, according to the Cleveland Heights Police Department's Facebook page, but "is known to frequent the Cleveland Heights area."

According to police reports, Tait fired shots at his ex-girlfriend's car while she was driving down Kildare Road at 7:38 p.m. Oct. 27.

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A witness also said he saw the incident, and Cleveland Heights Police found four spent shell casings on the ground.

The next day, the Cleveland Heights Fire Department received calls about a fire on Goodnor Road, where Tait's ex-girlfriend lived, at 2:11 p.m.

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The blaze started on the first floor, said Fire Chief William Freeman.

"The windows broke due to heat, fire then traveled up to the side of the house and burned through the soffit, which caused the attic space/underside of the roof to ignite," he said by email.

No one was inside the single-family home at the time, Freeman said. Firefighters were able to extinguish the first floor fire within minutes of arriving, but the third floor took longer as it took time to access the fire.

Police and fire officials were still investigating both incidents and could not confirm they were connected, or that the fire was an arson, the week of Oct. 29.

Tait is considered armed and dangerous. His photo has been included with this article. Anyone who sees him or has information should not approach and contact the CHPD at 216-321-1234 or 911.

Reports compiled from call logs and information from the Cleveland Heights Police Department and its Facebook page.


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