By Police1 Staff
CLEVELAND — When 14-year-old Alianna DeFreeze went missing on her way to school on Jan. 26, Cleveland police went out in full force to find the teen.
On Jan. 29, officers found her body in an abandoned building and arrested Christopher Whitaker for aggravated murder, Cleveland.com reported.
Black on Black Crime Inc. wanted to show police how thankful they were for their swift, dedicated action in the case.
Officers from the Fourth District were surprised to find over 100 marchers outside their headquarters Saturday waiting to thank them.
Together, they made their way to the abandoned building where they held a makeshift memorial service for DeFreeze.
Police thanked the public for their help as well. Commander Brandon Kutz told the publication they couldn’t have solved the case without the public’s assistance.
“It’s definitely effective in combating crime as team effort,” Kutz said. “We always have a lot of help with this particular community here in the Fourth District.”
March organizer Al Porter Jr. said the family is grateful the arrest came so quickly.
DNA linked Whitaker, a convicted sex offender, to DeFreeze’s death. He has prior convictions dating back to 1996. Her is currently being held on $3 million bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 14.
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