The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Police: man killed in murder-for-hire plot
A Solon man was arrested on July 7 in connection with a July 6 homicide in Elyria.
According to an Elyria Police report:
Bruce Arnoff, 56, of Solon was charged with murder in the death of a 47-year-old Lakewood man. Two additional East Cleveland residents face aggravated murder charges. One is at large.
On July 6 about 6:23 p.m. Elyria police officers were called to an address on the 1400 block of East Ave. following reports of a shooting behind the building.
Upon arrival, Officers located a man lying on the ground unresponsive behind the building. The victim was identified as Willie M. Fisher, 47, whose last known address was in Lakewood.
Fisher was pronounced dead by medical personnel. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Detectives later learned Fisher was employed as a handyman and had been hired to do some yard work around the business.
Police worked throughout the night to develop leads and search for evidence related to the crime, leading to the identities of three suspects involved in the incident:
• Bruce Arnoff, 56 , of Solon
• John P. Sullivan, 29, of East Cleveland
• Saint-Velle Pruitt, 18 of East Cleveland
On July 6 about 8:06 p.m. a Brooklyn Police officer stopped a 2003 BMW traveling eastbound on I-480 for a speed violation. The driver, John Paul Sullivan, was operating the vehicle with a suspended license.
Sullivan also had an active warrant through Maple Heights Police Department and was taken into custody.
A passenger in the vehicle was identified as 18-yearold Saint-Velle Pruitt also of East Cleveland. During a search of the BMW, the officer found a handgun with a loaded magazine and additional ammunition in the vehicle’s glove box. A convicted felon, Sullivan was charged with Having Weapons under Disability.
Detectives determined through the course of the investigation that Bruce Arnoff employed Willie Fisher as a handyman. Arnoff was upset with Fisher. As a result, Arnoff contracted with Sullivan and Pruitt to cause serious physical harm to Fisher, which led to his death, the release said.
Detectives arrested Arnoff for murder for his role in the death of Fisher. Arrest warrants have been issued for Sullivan and Pruitt for aggravated murder.
Arnoff was arrested on July 7 by Elyria Police Detectives on East Ave. He is being held without bond at the Lorain County Jail. Sullivan is being held at the Brooklyn PD Jail. He has been served with a copy of his Aggravated Murder charge and a holder has been placed on him.
Saint-Velle Pruitt is atlarge and should be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, contact the local police agency immediately.