CLEVELAND – State and local authorities are in an industrial area near the Cuyahoga River as part of a search for missing teenager Keshaun Williams.

The search is focused on the riverfront near Jefferson Avenue and West Third Street for clues to his case.

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Missing Cleveland President John Majoy said this morning that a search and recovery operation is underway for two submerged vehicles.

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According to a News 5 journalist at the scene, divers are being lowered into the water with a tow truck.

A black jeep was seen being pulled from the river.

RAW: Vehicles pull Jeep from Cuyahoga River during search by Keshaun Williams

It is unknown what was in the car, the top of which was covered with mesh.

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Authorities continue to search for another vehicle.

Cleveland police response

Police sent a statement calling this search an “exercise” to recover two vehicles from the river. Police also said the vehicles will be towed to a police impound lot for identification and possible evidence.

Participating parties include the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the SERT Dive Team, the Westshore Dive Team and Rich’s Towing.

ODNR told police the river will be restricted to vessel traffic from St. Mary’s Cement Cleveland Terminal to the south side of the Universal Oil Property.

Missing for over a year

Williams was last seen on June 17, 2023. Investigators said he was attending a house party on Gertrude Avenue.

In this case, an Amber Alert remains active.

Investigators are announcing a new tip in hopes of locating missing Cleveland teen Keshaun Williams

RELATED: Investigators are announcing a new tip in hopes of locating missing Cleveland teen Keshaun Williams

“Keshaun is gone. It’s been very painful. I miss that big, wet kiss he gives me every time I drop him off at home. I miss that. I miss him,” his grandmother, Mary Williams, said at a news conference. earlier this month. “There are people here who know what happened to Keshaun, and I pray that you will come forward and provide the information that you have. I’m not asking you if you have it. I know people do, and so we are I just ask you prayerfully to come forward.”

Police and the U.S. Marshals Service said they received a tip in recent weeks that led them to focus on what is now a vague vehicle description.

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“We have reason to believe he (Keshaun) was last seen walking away from the party and entering a dark-colored SUV with a group of juvenile males,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Vincent Piccoli.

Piccoli said the tip is believed to be accurate and that between two and four children entered the SUV.

The new vehicle description is a departure from the black Jeep authorities initially involved in the case but later backed off.

Piccoli said he believes Williams is still in the Cleveland area and hopes the public can provide more details to fill in the gaps regarding the dark-skinned people to get Williams home safely.

Police are asking the public for help

The reward for information leading to Williams’ whereabouts has been increased to $27,500.

Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County, the U.S. Marshal Service and anonymous donors contributed to the fund.

Tips can be called to the US Marshals Service at 1-866-4-WANTED. Tips can also be called to Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County at 216-252-7463. Tips can also be made online and through the Crime Stopper mobile app.