WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Bay School Resource Officer Honored

On Tuesday May 24, the Cleveland Chapter of N.A.M.I. (National Alliance on Mental Health) recognized Off. Ben Kitchen of the Bay Village Police Department with their Crisis Intervention Team Officer Award.

NAMI of Greater Cleveland recognized Off. Kitchen’s “Outstanding accomplishments on behalf of mental illness.” This prestigious award was given during the NAMI Greater Cleveland Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony. Ben was nominated for this award for his continued efforts in our schools and within our community to positively impact the mental health of students and the community.

6th OVI for Confused Raconteur

On 5/28/22 at about 6:15PM WPD received a call from a female reporting a possible OVI leaving a bar on Detroit Rd. The caller sounded confused as she not only was reporting the possible drunk driver but that she was assaulted by suspect driver in another location in the city. To top it off the complainant reported that WPD should check a particular nursing home for mobster Danny Green who had been kidnapped. Officers located the complainant in a car in a nearby parking lot. The 55yo Avon resident again relayed a confused story about the entire incident. She was field tested and arrested for her 6th OVI. At the WPD jail the driver refused a breath test. Officers were not able to get ahold of the other party involved in the possible altercation.

Wedding Crasher

On 5/29/22 at approx. 10:30PM an officer working a wedding reception at the Market Square hall received a report from staff that a male had attempted to enter the private reception but was turned away by guests. The staff of the venue knew that this was the same wedding crasher who entered the facility the day before during another reception. The witnesses reported that the guy was “displaying odd behavior” both days. The described male was located by officers nearby. He was arrested and charged with criminal trespass.

Wildlife Calls

On 5/31/22 a resident called WPD to report that they had a snake in their basement. The snake had not been invited into the home. The WPD Animal Control Officer was dispatched and was able to capture and release the non-poisonous reptile back outside. On the same day at 8PM a disabled resident on Farrs Garden Path called to report that she had small animals in her garage. She needed some assistance in shooing the animals on their way. Officers were sent and found 2 baby racoons hanging out. They were carefully directed out of the home and advised to find another play area.

Scammed by Facebook Hacker

On 6/2/22 a resident responded to WPD to report being the victim of a scam. The complainant was contacted out of the blue on Facebook Messenger by an acquaintance that she had not heard from in over a year. The supposed acquaintance informed the resident of a “government grant program” which was giving people large amounts of money in government assistance. Our victim responded to the person thinking they knew them and were directed to an “agent” of the program. The fake agent needed hundreds of dollars in gift card money sent to qualify the victim for the cash payout. After providing the gift card numbers our citizen realized they had been scammed. The officer was able to contact the real acquaintance who had no idea their profile had been hacked.

Belly Up

On 5/29/22 at approx. 4:30AM officers responded to I90 W/B at Columbia for a reported vehicle that crashed and was upside down. The female driver was outside the car upon the officers’ arrival. The 27yo indicated that she fell asleep before the car went off the roadway into the construction area and a guardrail. Luckily the driver was not seriously injured.

“The Whiskey Wasn’t His”

On 5/21/22 at approximately midnight, a concerned citizen called WPD to report a possible intoxicated driver. The complainant was following a vehicle that had driven through a red light and struck the curb several times. The Ford F150 was stopped by an officer at Crocker and Center Ridge Rds. The male operator appeared intoxicated and an open bottle of Jack Daniels was seen in the back seat. Although the 33yo Sheffield Lake man denied drinking and said the whisky was not his, he was field tested. The driver was arrested for OVI. He tested 2 times the legal limit of alcohol on his breath at the Westlake Jail.

Prowler Nabbed

On 5/23/22 at approx. 4AM a resident on Bradley Rd called 911 to report a male was in his backyard and tried to enter his parked locked vehicle. Officers responded to try to find the described man but were unable to locate him. At about 5:20AM one of the Westlake officers observed a male walking through the Promenade shopping center. The person matched the description of the prowler. The officer also noted that the suspect’s pants were visibly soaked. The 26yo Richmond Hts resident had an active Westlake warrant for failing to appear to answer to a previous trespassing charge. He was arrested on the warrant and was found to be in possession of items that appeared to come from victims’ cars including over 30 separate gift cards. The man was charged with criminal trespass and attempted theft for the incident on Bradley Rd. Investigators are attempting to match up the suspected stolen items with other specific victims.

Thousands Lost in Scam

On 5/25/22 a citizen came to WPD to report being the victim of a fraud. The resident had received a pop up on her computer from “Microsoft” indicating that the device had detected multiple “viruses” and she was to call a certain phone number to remedy them. The victim complied and over a couple of days was run through various technicians who prompted her to fill out forms with personal banking information. In all, thousands of dollars were missing from her accounts before the scam was detected. The phone numbers associated with the fraudsters indicated they came from the State of Washington but these may have been spoofed numbers.

Motorist Altercation

On 05/28/2022, at 2252 hrs, BVPD officers were dispatched to the area of Cahoon and Rexford for an altercation between motorists. Upon arrival, officers located the two vehicles involved. One was a delivery driver who had slowed down in front several driveways looking for an address. The other was an area resident who observed this and felt it was suspicious. He got in his car to figure out what the car was doing. While doing so, the two drivers began to argue. While officers were speaking with the area resident, they suspected he had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were administered, and as a result, the driver was arrested for OVI. The 52-yoa male will face charges at RRMC. Both parties were consoled about the confrontation. BVPD reminds resident to please call if you see suspicious activity.

Attempted Van Theft

On 05/28/2022, at 0942 hrs, a Clague Rd. resident reported that someone attempted to steal his van overnight. When the resident came out to his vehicle in the morning, he discovered the column was peeled. Nothing was missing. Police are investigating.

Bike Theft Thwarted

On 05/28/2022, at 0746 hrs, a resident in the 23000 block of Lake Rd. called BVPD to report someone had just attempted to steal a bicycle from his yard. The resident saw the male walking the bike off his property and yelled at him. When the resident yelled, the suspect dropped the bike and walked off. Officers located the male a few houses away. The 42-yoa Cleveland resident was arrested for Theft and Criminal Trespassing. He will face charges at RRMC. Police are continuing to investigate.

Car on Railroad Tracks

On 05/29/2022, at 0529 hrs, BVPD received a complaint of a vehicle sitting on the railroad tracks at Columbia. Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle stuck in the gravel just west of the crossing. The female operator was located standing next to the vehicle. After speaking with her, officers suspected she had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were administered, and as a result, the driver was arrested for OVI. The 30-yoa Lorain resident will face charges at RRMC.

Avon Lake K-9 Retires

Best wishes to Avon Lake Police K-9 officer Ady, who retired last week with honors. Ady received his retirement certificate, special treats, and a new bandana.

We thank Ady for his service to the department and our community. We also thank Officer Jared Rudduck and his family for their support and dedication to the K9 program.

Thank You, Officer O’Neill

Congratulations to Timothy O’Neill on closing the book on his three decades of service with the City of Westlake Ohio Police Department! Best wishes as you begin your well-earned retirement! #

Crocker Bark 5K and Block Party to Benefit Police K-9 Unit

We cannot wait to see everyone taking part in the #CrockerBark 5K & 1-Mile Walk sponsored by Hermes Cleveland and Lucky Shoes on Sunday, June 12th. All are welcome to join in with their furry friends, and a portion of the proceeds will support WPD’s K9 Unit. Don’t forget to stick around for the Block Party afterwards to meet some of our officers, watch the K9 demos, and check out various vehicles and equipment we utilize for public safety. If you have not signed up for the run or walk, there is still time: https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Westlake/CrockerBark

See you at Crocker Park on the 12th!