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Police surround Cleveland home in search for suspended officer who slipped ankle monitor

CLEVELAND — Police have surrounded a home on Cleveland's west side in their search for a suspended police officer facing charges for the alleged physical and sexual assault of his girlfriend.

Tommie Griffin III, 52, allegedly held the 42-year-old woman at gunpoint, pistol whipping her and firing two shots near her in January. Authorities later seized more than 60 guns from his home, including five assault rifles and an Uzi submachine gun. 

Griffin, who was indicted on charges of rape, kidnapping, felonious assault, domestic violence, tampering with evidence, possessing criminal tools, pandering obscenity and telecommunications harassment, cut off his GPS ankle monitor over the weekend, reports CBS affiliate WOIO.

An escape warrant has been issued. 

The Cleveland Division of Police hired Griffin in 1994. He was suspended without pay during the criminal case and is considered armed and dangerous.

On Tuesday morning, SWAT vehicles were a seen amid a heavily armed police presence surrounding a house identified by investigators searching for Griffin. Police have not said if they know for certain that Griffin remains inside.

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