Orlando Police Chief John Mina said Loyd, 41, was taken into custody in Orlando, but the specific location of where he was captured was not immediately known, Fox 35 reported.
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Authorities increased the reward for information about Loyd’s whereabouts to $125,000 and received hundreds of tips.
Police said at a press conference Tuesday that Loyd was wearing body armor and carrying two firearms, including one with a high capacity magazine – and they showed off Clayton’s cuffs they used to apprehend him. The house was abandoned, and Mina said it was not clear long Loyd had been hiding inside.
The arrest occurred at a residence right around the corner from where Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton’s mother lives, Mina said. Loyd allegedly shot Clayton when she tried to approach him.
Police said Loyd is being treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Mina said Loyd resisted arrest when he tried to escape.
One of Clayton’s longtime family friends, Jack Williams, said, “Honestly speaking, I wanted him to put up a fight so they’d kill him”.
Orlando police Chief John Mina said Markeith Loyd, 41, was flushed out of an abandoned house and taken into custody, ending a manhunt that began with the January 9 killing of Lt. Debra Clayton outside a Wal-Mart store.
The manhunt that had Orlando on edge for more than a week ended Tuesday night as police arrested Markeith Loyd.
She was shot as police sought Loyd for the December murder of his pregnant former girlfriend.
Earlier this month, Clayton was killed during a confrontation with Loyd near a Wal-Mart in Orlando, Fla.
“Honestly, I thought this might end up in a different situation”, a police officer said.
A massive manhunt was launched and Loyd was arrested nine days later.
Shortly after the announcement from OPD’s Twitter Page, Chief John Mina said the following on his page: “Captured and wearing Lt. Debra Clayton’s handcuffs”.
“During the search, authorities say, a sheriff’s deputy riding a motorcycle was hit by a auto and later died”. We do not know what led police to him at this time.
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Loyd’s capture, he said, was “a very good example of teamwork”. “Law enforcement is the difference between good and evil in the communities we serve”, Plasencia said.
