Man Who Beat, Wrapped Victim In Plastic Found In Oak Creek: Cops

OAK CREEK, WI -- Police in Oak Creek say they've arrested a man wanted by authorities in Ohio in a homicide case in which the deceased victim was beaten, wrapped in plastic and found along the side of the road.

According to Oak Creek police reports, authorities in Ohio tracked the cellphone of David R. Savage to the Villa Vista Motel in Oak Creek. Police set up a perimeter, and the Emergency Response Unit was also called to the scene.

Reports indicate that Savage exited the room while officers were on scene. He and a 63-year-old woman he was with were both taken into custody. Authorities from Oak Creek are now working with the Montgomery County detectives on the case.

According to authorities, Savage has been charged with murder, felonious assault, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Steven T. Johnson.

Johnson Found Dead

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's office, Johnson was found dead along the side of Arlington Road on nursery property. He had evidence of blunt force trauma and had been wrapped in plastic wrap.

“I think I found a dead body,” a Browns Nursery worker said in a 911 call made around 12:15 p.m. as reported by WHIO TV 7. “I was driving through and I looked over to the right and I saw this blue blanket on the woods line.”

According to reports, Johnson was on the state’s sex offender registry for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in 1999. Montgomery County Sheriffs reported that Johnson's death may have been related to a drug transaction.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Photo