Cleveland Murder Suspect Is 'Human Garbage,' Councilman Says

CLEVELAND, OH — William Ted Jones Jr., 27, has been charged with the aggravated murder of a 21-year-old Cleveland man. Jones reportedly went on a violent crime spree Saturday morning, killing the 21-year-old, committing a half-dozen carjackings and hurting residents of both Lakewood and Cleveland. He now faces the wrath of a local public official.

Cleveland City Councilman Michael D. Polensek, Ward 8, where the 21-year-old was killed, has condemned Jones in recent comments. Polensek has called Jones "human garbage" and demanded he be held accountable for his actions.

“We as a greater community must send a message that those who ‘live by the sword will perish by it," Polensek said in a statement. He added that he wants Jones to suffer the maximum punishment possible for his crimes, telling Patch, "The death penalty is too good for him."

"From Collinwood to Lakewood, that's 20 miles of a crime spree, it’s incredible, on a Saturday morning. When they told me, I was just in disbelief. I had to back off. I was so angry and outraged. This is so senseless. This wasn’t an altercation. This was cold-blooded murder," the councilman said.

"We have to send a message from Collinwood through this whole county. We have to send a message to these predators to these violent individuals. We will not tolerate you. We will not live with you," Polensek said. "We will do everything in our power to send you where you need to go, preferably an electric chair."

The Victim

Jared Plesec, the killed 21-year-old, was reportedly wearing a Salvation Army uniform at the time of his death. Fox 8 has reported that Plesec was reading scripture to Jones before the 27-year-old suspect shot and killed him. Polensek confirmed that Plesec was clutching a Bible when he was shot.

Polensek and Plesec knew each other through their shared work for the Salvation Army. The Collinwood-neighborhood councilman got choked up while describing the 21-year-old as "courteous, polite ... just someone that cared about people."

Residents from around the Collinwood-area have been calling Polensek, asking for details on the killing, wanting to know why the 21-year-old was shot. "When I tell them, “For nothing” there is even more outrage. No one can understand this," he said.

“In my opinion, Jared is a martyr,” said Polensek. “He will not be forgotten by our community. I ask all Cleveland residents to pray for Jared and his family. And as a community, we demand justice for this horrible crime."

Polensek said he will likely try to name a street near the Salvation Army's Collinwood-site after Plesec.

The killing took place at the Euclid Beach Apartments, a senior living home. Polensek said, "I’ve got a good neighborhood. This was a senior citizens building on a Saturday morning. If you’re not safe there, where the hell are you safe? What this tells us all is that you’re not safe anywhere."

When Jones' alleged spree came through Lakewood, he reportedly stole four cars, shot a woman and threw a 65-year-old woman to the ground. Eventually, police were able to corner Jones and box him in using police cruisers. Jones surrendered to police on Lake Avenue.

Jones was then turned over to Cleveland Police.

Photo from Renee Schiavone, Patch