ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Police Department announced on Tuesday night that they captured Markeith Loyd, the accused killer of Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.
Detectives said Loyd was on the run when he killed Clayton, who was trying to arrest him Jan. 9. Orange County Sheriff Office deputy First Class Norman Lewis died in a car crash while searching for Loyd.
Recommended Videos
The department announced the arrest on Twitter: "We've got him!"
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said on Twitter that they used Clayton's handcuff's to arrest him.
Loyd, 41, was wanted for killing Sade Dixon, a 24-year-old pregnant woman he dated. He is also accused of injuring her brother, as he tried to protect her, on Dec. 13.
The U.S. marshals and the FBI were involved in the search. Authorities set up a $150,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Three people have been accused of helping Loyd evade capture.
Police arrested Lakensha Smith Loyd, one of Loyd's nieces, on Jan. 11. Orange County deputies said in an arrest affidavit that she contacted people on behalf of her uncle after Dixon's death. She indicated she was in contact with him after the shooting, the affidavit said.
She allegedly went to a restaurant where her uncle worked to pick up $200 as Loyd tried to avoid arrest.
A day earlier, police arrested Zarghee Mayan, who deputies said failed to contacted authorities after Loyd told him he killed Dixon.
Jameis Slaughter, Loyd's ex-girlfriend, is accused of being an accessory after the fact. Authorities said she collected money for Loyd and lied to police about her communication with the suspect.
Slaughter said Loyd told her police would have to kill him because he wasn't going back to prison, according to an affidavit from the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities said the car of Jamesia Slaughter, Jameis's twin sister, was seen near the Walmart 90 minutes after Clayton was killed.
Clayton was a master sergeant in the police department at the time of her killing; she was posthumously promoted to lieutenant.
"I want to thank the Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their unrelenting focus to find the person responsible for multiple deaths, including two honorable law enforcement heroes, Orlando Police Department Lt. Deborah Clayton and Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Norman Lewis," Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. "Local, state and federal law enforcement have been working around the clock to capture the suspect to ensure no other innocent people were harmed and he will now be held to the fullest extent of the law. It is sickening that anyone would commit senseless violence against our brave first responders. Ann and I continue to pray for the families of the fallen heroes and hope today's news provides some relief."