OSU issues community alert on fugitive

Ohio State University police issued a public safety notice Wednesday night for the OSU community to be aware that a wanted fugitive could be in the area of the main campus.

According to the public safety department, 23-year-old Michael Moses Tarpeh is wanted in West Virginia and Massachusetts respectively for felonies that include aggravated assault, attempted sexual assault, armed carjacking, robbery, assault and battery.

The university community also was told that Tarpeh is wanted by University of Connecticut police.

Tarpeh, who also is known as Michael Moses Boadi and refers to himself as “Bigggggg Mike,” is described by authorities as 6-feet and 280 pounds.

OSU public safety also noted that “this notice does not mean there has been an increase in crime or that any specific crime pattern exists.”

Anyone with information about Tarpeh is asked to contact OSU police at (614) 292-2121, Columbus police at (614) 645-4545 or report information anonymously to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS or University Crime Stoppers Tips line at (614) 247-TIPS.