Fugitive Targeting Gay Men

Columbus Police say that a fugitive on the run Monday night could be walking the streets and should be considered dangerous.
Police say Byrol Pierce has been running from the law for more than a year. He's accused of stabbing a man two years ago and stealing another man's identity. Detectives say Pierce is targeting gay men in particular, connecting with them through Internet dating websites.
Pierce escaped from a work release program in June of 2004 after being charged with attempted murder. Since then, Columbus Police say Pierce stole a man's identity to help maintain his freedom.
"He's going around befriending people and stealing their identity and then uses that to open checking accounts, obtain identification and then commit fraud with other people's writing bad checks," Detective Jimmy Day explained.
The major concern police have is that they believe Pierce was willing to kill someone once before, and he is still roaming the streets of Columbus targeting unsuspecting victims.
"He's wanted for attempted murder. That shows that if the conditions are right, he could possibly commit a crime of violence against another person,” Det. Day said.
Police think it's a good possibility there are more than just two victims. Columbus Police are asking anyone with information about Pierce or crimes he may have committed to call them.
from Ohio News Network