FBI Cleveland
Public Affairs Officer Susan Licate
May 2, 2014

California Fugitive Captured in Cleveland

A murder suspect on the run from police in Fresno, California is behind bars today. The Cleveland Violent Crime Task Force found fugitive Craig Foster hiding in a Cleveland apartment. Foster, a 44-year-old violent gang member from California, was wanted for the shooting death of a young California mother and the attempted murder of her husband.

Foster is accused of shooting 28-year-old Janee Tatum in the head and shooting her husband, Herman Tatum, twice. Herman Tatum survived, but Janee Tatum died a few days later. The victims were gunned down in a Fresno bar in March. Fresno police stated Foster tried to “pick up” Janee Tatum, which led to an argument between Herman Tatum and Foster. The Tatums have no gang ties.

A joint investigation between the Fresno Police, Sacramento FBI, and Las Vegas FBI tracked Foster to Cleveland. Foster was arrested on warrants for murder, attempted murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Foster is being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail and is expected to have an extradition hearing on Monday.

The Cleveland Violent Crime Task Force is composed of law enforcement officers from the FBI, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority.