U.S. Marshals Arrest Escaped Inmate Durand Lawson in New Castle

Durand Lawson, , is now in police custody.

New Castle police Chief Robert Salem said Lawson surrendered at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday after officers and agents from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force surrounded a home on the 100 block of W. Wallace Avenue in New Castle where Lawson had been holing up with a friend.

“He gave himself up,” Salem said.

The 20-year-old after he was released unattended to go to the funeral of his brother, Lagene Lawson, in New Castle.

According to Cranberry Police, 19-year-old Lagene Lawson f Police had pursued him into the Cranberry Commons shopping center on Route 228 after a chase that began near Mars Area High School. The vehicle crashed into the store, causing extensive damage.

After his brother’s death, Durand Lawson made comments that he felt police in Cranberry were responsible, Salem said. The chief added other members of the Lawson family also do not believe Lagene Lawson shot himself.

“He said, 'My brother never would have done that,'” Salem said. 

New Castle investigators immediately alerted officers at Cranberry and state police at Butler Saturday that Durand Lawson, who Salem said has been known to carry weapons, was on the loose.

The chief did not know of any direct threats Durand Lawson made to .

Cranberry Sgt. Chuck Mascellino said there was no gunfire exchanged between Lagene Lawson and officers . He said Monday Cranberry police had not received any overt threats from Durand Lawson.

Earlier this week, New Castle police issued a felony arrest warrant for escape for the elder Lawson, who had been awaiting trial on multiple drug-related charges.

Salem said tips to police and phone records led investigators to discover Durand Lawson’s location in New Castle.