CLEVELAND — Law enforcement from several area agencies were on scene near the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland Tuesday for a recovery operation that one local official says is connected to missing teenager Keshaun Williams.
A total of two vehicles were recovered from the river.
Newburgh Heights Chief of Police John Majoy told 3News that the search and recovery operation in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood is in connection to Keshaun, who has been missing since June 17, 2023. Majoy is also chair of the Northeast Ohio Amber Alert Committee and board president for the nonprofit Cleveland Missing.
However, the Cleveland Division of Police called the recovery a "training exercise" that was planned weeks in advance and would not confirm that the recovered vehicles were related to Keshuan's case.
"We have become aware of unauthorized statements linking the vehicle recoveries and training exercise to the missing person case of Keshaun Williams," CDP Public Information Officer Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz wrote in a long statement on Tuesday evening. "At this time, we cannot confirm whether these vehicles are related to this specific case, which is why our investigation is ongoing. We were informed of the vehicles by another agency, and their recovery was part of the training exercise. Our officers were present out of an abundance of caution."
Police add that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, SERT Dive Team, Westshore Dive Team, and Rich's Towing were all part of the training exercise. The two recovered vehicles were taken to the CDP's impound lot for further investigation.
Diaz closed out his statement with the following:
"It's important to note that while these vehicles could potentially be connected to Keshaun's case, they could also relate to another crime or may not be linked to any violent crime at all. Speculating about a connection at this stage would be premature. The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) is committed to investigating thoroughly before making any assertions, as it is crucial to provide information that can be definitively verified. This compassionate approach is intentional; we want to avoid giving false hope that could further traumatize the families and friends of missing persons or crime victims.
"We urge our partners—both law enforcement agencies and the media—to disseminate accurate information following this compassionate approach as well."
Keshaun, who was 15 years old at the time of his disappearance, became the focus of an Ohio Amber Alert with reward money offered in the case.
On Oct. 8, reward money in the case increased to $27,500. That money will be given to anybody with information that can help police resolve the case.
Keshaun was described as 5'7" tall and weighing 130 pounds with brown eyes at the time he was reported missing. He was last seen wearing black jogging pants and a t-shirt.
Anybody with information has been asked to call 866-4-WANTED.
3News has a crew at the scene and is working to learn more details.