Crime
Marshals: ‘Career criminal’ eludes law again
By: Scott McCabe
Examiner Staff Writer
December 3, 2008
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Matthew Burke, supervisory inspector with the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, has personally captured and arrested Lou Smith more than once, including after a long foot chase. The marshal wasn’t surprised to learn that Smith had violated his parole once again.
“We’ve seen this before,” Burke said. “He violates his parole or commits an offense, gets back out and does the same thing.”
Smith is a known heroin user and has been homeless at times, police said, and continues to pose a threat to the public while he is a fugitive and using drugs. His arrest history dates back to 1967.
“He’s a career criminal,” Burke said. “He’s not going to be doing any legitimate work to support his drug habit or put food on the table area.”
Smith, whose real first name is Lulion, has a long history of arrests for armed robberies, parole violations, burglaries, drugs, weapons charges and panhandling. Smith is wanted for violating his federal parole violations on armed robbery charges.
Smith is listed as about 5 feet 6 and about 120 pounds. He is balding, and his hair is turning gray. Smith also uses the name Tyrone Davis and Prince Davis. Burke remembers Smith as being in good shape, saying he used to do push-ups and run a lot.
Smith has lived in the Suitland area of Prince George’s County, and has lived in the District and frequented the H Street corridor and the lower part of Georgia Avenue.
Anyone with information on Smith is asked to call the U.S. Marshals Service at 301-489-1717 or 800-336-0102. Law enforcement authorities are offering a reward for information leading to his arrest.
The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, run by the U.S. Marshals Service, is composed of 28 federal, state and local agencies from Baltimore to Norfolk, Va. The unit has captured more than 19,000 fugitives since its creation in 2004.
