Couple's phone call helps police catch Miamisburg murder suspect
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A couple in West Carrollton was recognized Tuesday night for their help in catching a murder suspect.
Kaitlynn and Matthew Pope were taking a walk on March 13 when a homicide investigation quite literally ended up at their front door. With some quick thinking, the couple helped police arrest their suspect.
Law enforcement had spent all night searching for Dametrius Turner, when the couple found the man in their front yard.
'All night long we used the resources of the state highway patrol, the sheriff and agencies around us,' said Mike Brem, Miamisburg Police Department chief of police.
Turner was wanted for murder and felonious assault after police had found 52-year-old Leslie Ross dead in a Miamisburg home just hours earlier. Turner had been on the run since fleeing the scene, pursued by dozens of officers and drones.
It wasn't until Kaitlynn and Matthew Pope were returning home from a walk that the case shifted.
'I spotted this individual down the road and he didn't look right to me, so I just kept my eye on him,' said Matthew Pope. 'He kind of stopped in front of our house in the driveway, kind of going back and forth and that was right after we saw a Miamisburg police officer.'
Later out of curiosity, the couple says they checked their local Facebook groups — and saw a post Miamisburg PD shared just hours before.
'We had this gut instinct and at first we didn't listen,' said Kaitlynn Pope. 'We kept talking about it and talking about it and we're like, okay, something's going on.'
After some discussion, the couple phoned the police. With the description of Turner confirmed, officials were able to close in on the area and arrest him after a 13-hour manhunt, where he traveled on foot from Miamisburg to West Carrollton.
On Tuesday night, Miamisburg city leaders wanted to recognize the couple for their quick thinking and actions.
'We were in the right place at the right time, and I feel like any other resident would've done the same,' Matthew said.
Turner remains in the Montgomery County Jail where he is facing felonious assault, murder and several other charges. His next court date is April 16.
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