The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Crazy “Sweepstakes” Scam
On 1/14/23 at approx. 2PM an elderly citizen came to WPD to report being the victim of a scam. Around the same time, an employee of a local bank called to tell WPD that the 72yo had been withdrawing large sums of cash and they suspected she was being scammed. The female victim relayed that she had received a call from a male saying that he represented Publishers Clearing House and the victim had won over 5 million dollars in the sweepstakes. She was told she had to pay Ohio and Federal taxes up front which consisted of thousands of dollars. The sweepstakes rep walked the victim through withdrawing cash from various accounts and buying iPhones and Apple watches. Some of the cash was sent via a shipping service but alarmingly, at least 2 times, the victim turned over cash to persons who drove to the victim’s house. The victim was out thousands of dollars before being advised they were being victimized. Investigators are collecting evidence in an attempt to identify suspects.
Suspicious Male taking Pictures
On 8/27/22 at approx. 1:30PM WPD received a report of a male acting suspiciously at Nordstrom Rack at Crocker Park. A female victim at the store believed that she witnessed a white male with a beard taking photos or video of her while trying on clothes in the store dressing rooms. The male was using his cell phone to capture images under the dividing wall of the changing rooms. Nordstrom Rack security along with Crocker Park Security were able to locate the male as he left the clothing store. They obtained a vehicle description which was relayed to responding WPD officers. The suspect was stopped on Crocker Rd by UH St. John Medical Center. The driver, identified as 33yo Cory McKinley of Brunswick, OH, at first denied being at Nordstrom Rack. He soon changed his story by indicating that he had gone to the store to use the restroom. The male was questioned on the stop and his cell phone was seized. Analysis of the cell phone and witness interviews led to 2 charges which were filed this week. The misdemeanor voyeurism charges were for surreptitiously filming 2 identified adult victims while in the changing room. McKinley will have to appear in Rocky River Municipal Court to answer to the charges at a later date.
Firearm in Rental Car Return
On 1/13/23 at approx. 3PM WPD received a call from Enterprise Rent a Car indicating that they had found a firearm in a rental vehicle that had been returned to them. An officer responded and recovered the 9mm handgun along with information on who rented the car. The female who returned the vehicle indicated that the gun actually belonged to her adult son. The son indicated that he had bought the gun recently from a known male. That male was tracked down and eventually confirmed the story. The gun will be returned to the rightful owner.
Felony Warrant
On 1/14/23 at about 1:30PM a vehicle was stopped for equipment and license plate violations on I90 W/B at the Lorain County line. The officer noted signs of drug use in the vehicle and investigated further. The driver, a 30yo Cleveland resident, was found to have an entered felony warrant from the Adult Parole Authority for violating parole. The driver was arrested on the warrant. Investigation also revealed that the male was concealing suspected cocaine on his person. He was charged with felony possession of drugs and was transported to the County Jail.
Unwanted Guest
On 1/15/23 at about 2:45PM WPD received a call from staff at the Sonesta Suites on Clemens about an unwanted guest. The female had been evicted from the property earlier in the day due to causing a disturbance. At this point, the suspect was in a vehicle parked in the lot of the hotel. The staff reported that the female was incoherent and they believed she was “on something.” Officers arrived to find the 31yo Fairview Park resident driving in the parking lot. The female was so unsteady and erratic that officers were unable to administer field sobriety tests. She also admitted to “making a mistake” by using methamphetamine. The driver was placed under arrest for OVI. She was charged with the M1 offense and was later released to a sober relative.
Sex Offender Violator Arrested
On 1/6/23 WPD detectives learned that a male with an active warrant was staying in the city of Westlake. The 32yo man had an active felony warrant out of Portage County for failing to register as a sex offender. Surveillance was initiated and it was confirmed that the suspect had recently moved into a residence on Detroit Rd. The man was stopped at about 12:30PM that day. He was arrested without further incident. The suspect was turned over to Portage County Deputies. A report was generated for prosecutor review because the man was found within 1000 feet of a Westlake based school.
Attempted Fraud
On 1/7/23 at approx. 2PM WPD received a call from a citizen reporting an attempted fraud. The female was trying to sell a dress on Facebook Marketplace and got into a dispute with a potential buyer. The buyer attempted to get the citizen to accept a fraudulent transaction through a cash application then send funds back to them to confirm the account. Luckily, seller recognized that this was a scam attempt and did not send them any cash.
Theft at CVS
On 1/8/23 at about 11:30AM an employee of CVS at Bradley and Detroit reported a theft. A female had shopped in the store and was observed by store security stashing cosmetic items in her personal oversized bag. The suspect did pay for a couple of cheap items before attempting to leave the store with almost $1000 worth of cosmetics that were not paid for. Cashiers pointed out that the suspect actually used her CVS rewards card when checking out. The items were recovered by security before the suspect entered her white VW and left the scene. Investigators called her and she denied being involved. Surveillance footage and other evidence showed otherwise. Warrants were requested for attempted theft. On 1/12/23 at about 1PM the suspect, a 39yo female who listed an Avon Lake address, was arrested by Lakewood PD. Westlake officers picked her up to answer to the charge. She also had been arrested by WPD in July of 2022 for shoplifting from Michaels on Columbia Rd.
“All Over (and Off) the Road)
On 1/8/23 at approx. 5PM a 911 caller reported that a Dodge Caliber went off the road on I90 W/B before Clague Rd. The called added that the vehicle was “all over the road” before veering off. Officers arrived and spoke with the female driver. She appeared intoxicated and almost fell over when she was on her feet. The driver indicated that she had not consumed any alcohol and officers noted that she did not smell of an alcoholic beverage. Investigation revealed that the 56yo Fairview Park female was in possession of a glass smoking pipe and suspected heroin/fentanyl. She was arrested for the drug law and was field tested in the Westlake Jail. Officers noted that she could only barely keep her eyes open. She admitted to being addicted to opioids. The driver was charged with OVI. Additional charges are pending lab analysis.
She Took Off with the Merchandise
On 1/11/23 at about 12:30PM WPD received a call from loss prevention at Nordstrom Rack reporting a shoplifting. The security official had witnessed a female customer cutting off the security tags from items of clothing. Before officers arrived, the older looking female “took off” with merchandise. When the security officer started to follow the female out of the store, she dropped a large bag of stolen clothes. The items, valued at over $400, were recovered. The female was not located in the area. Review of surveillance video is still pending.
License Plate Violation Leads to Arrest
On 1/13/23 at approx. 11AM an officer stopped a vehicle on Sperry at Columbia for a license plate violation. After observing a crack pipe in plain view, the officer investigated further. A search revealed a small amount of crack cocaine, several unmarked pills and additional drug paraphernalia. A replica firearm was also under the front passenger seat. The 29yo Cleveland resident was arrested and charged with felony possession of drugs as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.
Felony Warrant
On 01/03/2023, at 0103 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Wolf Rd. near Bayfair for a traffic violation. As officers approached the vehicle, they recognized the passenger as someone whom BVPD had an active felony warrant for. The 52-yoa male was taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and later transferred to the County Jail. The 52-yoa Cleveland resident will face charges at Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for Aggravated Menacing.
Couldn’t Be Found
On 01/04/2023, at 1805 hrs, a motorist called about a pedestrian that was walking in Wolf Rd. near Douglas. The male was dressed in camouflage and difficult to see. An officer responded to the area but was unable to locate him.
Active Warrant
On 01/05/2023, at 1231 hrs, a resident stopped at BVPD to pick up a copy of a citation from an earlier incident. While speaking with the dispatcher, the dispatcher realized the male also had an active warrant with BVPD. The male was taken into custody on the strength of the warrant. The 19-yoa will face charges at RRMC for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
Loud Party
On 01/06/2023, at 2254 hrs, a resident in the 600 block of Elmwood called to report a loud, possibly underage, party at a neighbor’s house. Officers located the house in question. The music had been turned down upon arrival and everyone in attendance was over 21. They were advised of the complaint.
Open Door
On 01/08/2023, at 1128 hrs, a resident in the 400 block of Forestview called to report a neighbor’s garage pedestrian door had been standing open. Officers located the open door and were able to secure it. The door appeared to have been blown open by the wind. BVPD reminds resident to please call if you see something suspicious.
Reckless Operation
On 01/16/2023, at 1659 hrs, BVPD received a complaint from a motorist about a vehicle that was operating recklessly eastbound on Wolf Rd. from Bassett. After observing several traffic violations, a BVPD officer stopped the vehicle on Wolf Rd. near Cahoon. After speaking with the female driver, the officer suspected the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were administered, and as a result, the driver was arrested for OVI. The 75-yoa Bay Village resident will face charges at RRMC.
Pranked
On 01/17/2023, at 1427 hrs, a motorist called BVPD to report he had been flagged down by a teenaged female on Perry. When he stopped his car, the female threw a kickball at his car and fled the area. Officers responded to the area but were unable to locate the female. There was no damage to the car.
Pet Door Open
On 01/18/2023, at 1145 hrs, a pedestrian in the 400 block of Parkside called to report he had observed the side door of a house standing open two days in a row, and there were no cars in the driveway. Responding officers spoke with the resident who claimed he leaves the door open so his cat and come and go as he pleases.
Car Break-in
On 01/20/2023, at 1209 hrs, a patron of Dover Commons called BVPD to report the rear window of his vehicle had been broken out and tools were stolen. Police are investigating.
Racing Car
On 01/20/2023, at 1806 hrs, a Plymouth Dr. resident called BVPD to report there was a dark colored sedan racing around the neighborhood. An officer was dispatched to the area, but was unable to locate the vehicle.
OVI
On 01/21/2023, at 0115 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Dover Center near the railroad tracks for a traffic violation. After speaking with the male driver, the officer suspected the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were administered, and as a result, the driver was arrested for OVI. The 23-yoa North Olmsted resident will face charges at RRMC.
Jogging in the Dark
On 01/21/2023, at 0558 hrs, a motorist called BVPD to report a jogger running in the middle of Lake Rd. near Bradley wearing all black and a headlamp. The caller was concerned about the safety of the jogger. Officers responded to the area but were unable to locate the jogger.
