CLEVELAND — Cleveland police say they have identified the suspect in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 7-year-old boy nearly two weeks ago, however the man's whereabouts remain unknown at this time.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of 32-year-old Donald H. Mynatt on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident that involved a child fatality. Authorities believe Mynatt was driving an SUV that struck and killed Amir Prewitt on the evening of Aug. 16 in Collinwood.
According to officials, a black Mercedes GLS450 4MATIC with tinted windows hit Amir and dragged him under the vehicle on Lakeshore Boulevard. The boy eventually died at an area hospital, and while investigators located the car a day later, the driver was nowhere to be found.
Police released a surveillance photo of a "person of interest" last week before naming Mynatt as the alleged culprit on Wednesday. He is described as being 5-foot-4 and weighing 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
3News' Kaitor Kay asked Cleveland police what led them to Mynatt and how they plan to catch him. A spokesperson for the Cleveland Division of Police said they can't disclose that because it's "law enforcement sensitive investigative information."
The spokesman added the following: "The Cleveland Division of Police has worked extensively to identify the suspect in this case. We will continue work until an arrest is made. We ask that if anyone has any information that can lead to the arrest of Donald Mynatt, to call us or the United States Marshals."
Cuyahoga County court records show Mynatt has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2010, bouncing in and out of prison for various offenses including theft and domestic violence. Notably, he was supposed to appear in court last December on another domestic violence charge, but Judge Steven E. Gall issued a warrant for his arrest after he did not show up, making him a fugitive at the time of Amir Prewitt's death.
Anyone with information regarding Mynatt's current location is asked to immediately call either the Cleveland Division of Police's Accident Investigation Unit at (216) 623-5295 or the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at (866) 492-6833. Tips can also be submitted to usmarshals.gov. Reward money is available and tips can remain anonymous.
Ward 8 Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek, who represents Collinwood, is also urging the community to notify police of Mynatt's whereabouts. Additionally, he claims he has interacted with Mynatt in the past:
"Unfortunately, after looking at my past records, I realized I have been dealing with this individual the police are looking for since he was 15 years of age involved then in violent activity in the community. I predicted then in correspondence that if he did not get his life in order her would be going to prison.
"Now he's running way from the consequences of his most recent actions. If he cannot summon the strength to turn himself in, the people in the community who know where he is, MUST. I’m asking everyone to help Amir's grieving mother with seeking justice, so her and her family can mourn in peace."