WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Stopping for Stopped School Bus

From North Ridgeville Police

Now that schools are back in session, please be reminded that it is illegal to pass stopped school buses. This is a serious safety concern that as a community needs to be addressed.

This article serves as a reminder that passing a stopped school bus is ILLEGAL on all two- or three-lane roads. The Ohio Revised Code 4511.75 also states drivers “shall stop at least ten feet from the front or rear of the school bus and shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.”

The law also states that when a highway is divided into four or more traffic lanes, a driver need not stop for a school bus approaching from the opposite direction which has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child. In North Ridgeville, this would apply to the section of Center Ridge Road that has been widened to five lanes and a section of road on Lorain Road from Bagley Road east to the city limit (North Olmsted). When in doubt, STOP!

Also, as a reminder, according to the Ohio Revised Code 4511.21, the speed limit in school zones is 20 mph during recess and during the opening and closing hours of schools. Please pay attention and help keep the children in our community safe!

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!

The 2021 impaired driving national enforcement mobilization “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” goes into effect across the country from August 18 to September 6, 2021.

One of the deadliest and most often committed – yet preventable – of crimes. Impaired Driving has become a serious safety epidemic in our country.

Don’t let buzzed driving get you arrested. Call a friend, call a ride share service. Do not drive.

Stay Safe, BVPD

Thank You for Your Kindness

The Avon Police Department would like to send a special THANK YOU out to a group of young ladies from the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls who stopped by for a visit this week at the police department.

They brought goodie bags for our officers, including our three K9 officers! Thank you ladies for the kind gesture and we always appreciate the support!

Gunplay in Westlake: Shot Fired into Pick-up Truck

On 8/5/21 at about 11:00PM a citizen called WPD to report that they believed they had witnessed a person fire a gun from a vehicle parked on a street at Crocker Park. Officers checked the area but could not locate any disturbance or other witnesses. Officers had the complainant respond to WPD where a bullet hole was located in the tail gate of their F150 Pickup truck. Evidence was recovered from the victim vehicle and interviews of those involved revealed that a verbal altercation between parties happened before one person shot at the vehicle of another. The suspect, a North Olmsted 23yo, was identified and arrested. The handgun used in the assault was recovered. The suspect was charged with Felonious Assault-shooting and Improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Loaded Handguns in Vehicle

On 8/6/21 officers stopped a vehicle on I-90 at Columbia for an equipment violation. The officers noted indicators of drug use in the vehicle and investigated. The 21yo driver also had no license and had an entered warrant for a previous traffic charge. A search revealed that the Cleveland resident had 2 loaded handguns each with extended 50 round capacity magazines. Officers also recovered suspected marijuana and a scale. The man was arrested. Charges of improper handling firearms in a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon, speeding and possession of drug paraphernalia will be presented to the county grand jury.

Loaded Handgun

On 8/7/21 at about 9AM an officer stopped a vehicle at Columbia and Hilliard for an equipment violation and after learning that the registered owner did not have a valid drivers license. Upon contacting the driver and the vehicle owner who was riding in the passenger seat, officers noted signs of drug use along with a bullet proof vest in the back seat. Investigation revealed that the pair had possession of a loaded handgun along with suspected narcotic pills, marijuana and a scale. The driver had several entered felony warrants out of Cleveland for assaults with a silver handgun. The males, both from Cleveland, were arrested. Gun and drug charges for the 41 and 45 year olds will be presented to the county grand jury. It appears that neither should be around firearms due to past felony convictions. A silver .45 caliber handgun was recovered and placed into evidence.

Shots Fired in Party Fight

On 08-14-2021, at about 00:24am, Avon Lake Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a fight with shots fired on Lear Road. The first officer, who was in the area, arrived on scene in less than one minute.

Preliminary investigations indicate that a fight began inside a house party at 167 Lear Road. The fight continued outside of the residence, into Lear Road, and into the parking lot of the bar across the street. Some patrons from the bar also became involved in the incident. An unknown subject fired five rounds from a handgun, causing most people to scatter or drive away prior to officer’s arrival on scene. No one was struck by the shots fired.

An 18 year old male, who sustained injuries from the fight, was driven to the emergency room by his parents.

The incident is currently under investigation. Please contact the Avon Lake Police Department Detective Bureau with any information regarding the identity of the subject who discharged a firearm.

Romance Scam

On 8/10/21 at about 2:25PM a resident came to the Westlake Police Dept. to report that he was the victim of a scam. The male explained that he met a purported female on a dating site and began corresponding with her. Within a few months, the online relationship turned to talk of love and of course money. The scammer, who went by the name Sophia Lisa, said that she needed some help with business dealing before she could join her love in Westlake. The Westlake resident sent her many thousands of dollars before believing his bank, family and friends who insisted it was a scam. This is an all too frequent occurrence which is termed a “ROMANCE SCAM” by the FTC. Investigators are determining if any leads can be developed.

Thrown from Vehicle on I-90

On 8/12/21 at approx. 1:45AM WPD responded to a report of a 1 car crash on I90 in the area of Columbia Rd. Officers found that a vehicle had struck a guard rail, traveled across 3 lanes of traffic and then struck the center concrete median. The passenger in the vehicle sustained serious injuries after she was apparently thrown from the vehicle at impact. The driver did not claim any injury but appeared to be intoxicated. He admitted to drinking at the baseball game in Cleveland although he was only 19 years old. He refused to submit to sobriety tests and was placed into custody. He also refused to take a breath test so his license was suspended. The 19yo Painsville resident was charged with OVI, underage consumption and failure to control. The passenger was transported to UH St. John Medical Center for treatment.

Attempted Auto Theft

On 8/14/21 at approx. 4PM officers responded to Serpentini Chevy for a report of an attempted auto theft. A male was captured on surveillance video attempting to break out the window of a Dodge vehicle on the lot during the overnight hours. Investigators learned that after the Westlake incident, the same male had been captured in the act of trying to steal another vehicle in Warrensville Hts. Charges for the 21 year old Painsville resident will be presented to the county grand jury.

Juvenile Disturbance, OVI

On 8/15/21 at about 9:15PM officers were called to Crocker Park as security was having issues with groups of juveniles who would not leave. While patrolling the area, a vehicle crossed the centerline of the street and almost struck the police cruiser. After stopping the car, the officers noted that the male driver seemed confused and was not making sense. He appeared intoxicated and was unsteady on his feet when he stepped from the driver’s seat. The 49yo Westlake resident was given field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested for OVI. He submitted a breath sample and was found to be 2 and ½ times over the legal limit. He was charged with a lane violation as well as OVI and driving with a prohibited breath alcohol content.

Alphabet Song Wrong

On 8/15/21 at approx. 10:30PM an officer stopped a vehicle on Center Ridge at Bradley for several traffic violations. The male appeared intoxicated and could not recite the alphabet while in the vehicle. After poor performance on additional field tests outside the vehicle, the 50yo North Ridgeville resident was taken into custody for OVI. His vehicle was impounded and he was transported to the Westlake Jail. After his refusal to take a breath test, the man was charged with refusing a chemical test after a previous OVI conviction, OVI, speeding and weaving. The accused drunk driver had 4 previous OVI convictions as well as 1 previous conviction of physical control. A court hold was placed on his vehicle due to the prior arrests.

Mad Dad

On 8/19/21 at approx. 7:45PM a resident called to report that her daughter’s father was banging on the apartment door and causing a scene. The male fled the area before officers arrived. Evidence was collected to show that the male actually tried to break down the door to the residence. He later called the victim and threatened her safety. Warrants were requested for felony attempted burglary, menacing and domestic violence. Detectives located the 27yo North Ridgeville male at his residence the next day. He was taken into custody and firearms were recovered.