Gunfire Hits Car on I-90
On 5/5/23 at approx. 5PM WPD was contacted by Avon Police who informed that a person came to their station to report being shot at on I90 in Westlake between Cahoon and Crocker Rds.
The victim was driving their truck on I90 when they said a man in a Blue Ford Explorer fired 2 rounds at them from a handgun. The victim said that the operator of the Explorer was driving erratically before the shooting. They believed that the suspect had been texting and driving while operating in the fast lane of the highway which caused the poor driving. After the victim passed the Explorer, the suspect pulled alongside and pointed a gun at the victim before firing. One round struck the passenger door of the victim’s vehicle.
While the Westlake officers were gathering statements and evidence, they learned that North Ridgeville PD had stopped the suspect vehicle in their city. The driver, who was in possession of a loaded handgun, was arrested for OVI by NRPD. The 41yo Cleveland resident was found to be about 3 times the legal limit of alcohol. Westlake PD recovered the firearm and later picked up the driver from the Lorain County Jail after he was processed for the OVI. He was charged with Felonious Assault in Cuyahoga County.
The suspect was released after posting a $100,000 cash or surety bond. WPD officers confiscated additional firearms from the suspect’s home before he was released.
Road Rage in Crocker Park
On 5/16/23 officers responded to Crocker Park after an employee of a business on Crocker Park Blvd reported what appeared to be a road rage incident. The concerned caller heard an operator of a black truck “laying on” the horn and saw him “cocking” a pistol inside the vehicle all while screaming obscenities out the window. While the truck had moved on by the time officers arrived, descriptions of the driver and vehicle were obtained. Using available surveillance and License Plate Readers in the area, a suspect was developed. The 52yo Crocker Park resident was questioned and admitted to becoming angry because another operator had stopped in the roadway and was blocking traffic. The suspect eventually explained that he had raised his pepper-ball gun in a fit of anger at the situation. Witness statements from several people were gathered which indicated that the man had in-fact pulled the slide on the firearm and pointed it at other drivers during the incident. Charges of inducing panic were filed in Rocky River Municipal Court.
Suspended License, Loaded Handgun
On 5/15/23 at approx. 10:45AM an officer stopped a vehicle on I90 E/B at Cahoon for a license plate violation. The operator, a 55yo Cleveland resident, admitted that his driver’s license was suspended. The officers learned that he in fact had several open license suspensions as well as an active warrant out of Shaker Hts. Investigation revealed that the man was also in possession of a loaded handgun in the passenger compartment of the car. The driver was arrested and charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon as well as driving under suspension.
Drug Use in Vehicle
On 5/15/23 at about 12:45PM an officer stopped a vehicle on I90 at Cahoon for equipment and speeding violations. The officer noted signs of drug use in the vehicle and investigated further. The driver admitted he had cocaine and marijuana in the car. It was revealed that the 40yo Cleveland resident was in possession of cocaine along with a cut straw as well as a small amount of marijuana and several suspected hydrocodone pills. He also was operating with a suspended license. The car was towed and the driver was arrested and charged with felony possession of drugs as well as driving under suspension.
OVI
On 05/21/2023, at 0256 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Kenilworth for multiple traffic violations. 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 24-yoa Avon Lake resident will face charges at RRMC.
Paper Delivery
On 05/20/2023, at 0502 hrs, a resident in the 24500 block of East Oakland reported an occupied vehicle had been parked in front of her house for an extended period of time. Officers located the vehicle and spoke with the driver. The driver was delivering newspapers and was getting familiar with a new route. He was advised of the complaint.
Pit Bull at Large
On 05/20/2023 at 1920 hrs, BVPD officers were dispatched to the 27800 block of Knickerbocker for a dog at large. Responding officers located the pit bull who was aggressively roaming the neighborhood. Two residents were bitten by the dog while it was out. Officers were able to capture the dog with the assistance of a resident. The 30-yoa owner of the dog was cited with Dog at Large and will face charges at RRMC. The Animal Control Officer will be conducting follow up.
More OVI
On 05/19/2023, at 2109 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. and Douglas for multiple traffic violations. 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 40-yoa Cleveland resident will face charges at RRMC.
Car Struck in Driveway
On 05/17/2023, at 2131 hrs, a resident in the 27100 block of Lake Rd. called BVPD to report a grey SUV driven by a male pulled into her driveway, honked the horn, and struck one of the cars parked in the driveway. The SUV then left the driveway in an unknown direction. Officers were dispatched to the area but the vehicle was gone. Police are investigating.
Fugitive Arrested
On 05/15/2023, at 2226 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Porter Creek for several traffic violations. 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. Once the driver was positively identified, it was learned he was in the country illegally and was a fugitive. Border Patrol was contacted and eventually took the driver into their custody for investigation. The 41-yoa Cleveland resident will also face charges at RRMC.
Scam Averted
On 05/15/2023, at 1543 hrs, a Wildbrook resident contacted BVPD to report his bank advised him someone had transferred $3,500 from his account on two occasions. He did not authorize the transfers. Police are investigating.
Thank You & Welcome
At a recent ceremony, Mayor Clough and Chief Bielozer formally thanked Aux Lt Art Hohman for his dedicated service to the citizens of Westlake and the officers of the PD. He retired from the Auxiliary unit after 24 YEARS of service! Keep in mind these are volunteer positions that play a vital role in the community. Thank you Art.
Mayor Clough also swore in our newest Auxiliary Officer Rajesh Rangoon. Welcome to the team Raj!
- Thank you Art.
- Mayor Clough also swore in our newest Auxiliary Officer Rajesh Rangoon. Welcome to the team Raj!
Welcome
Mayor Clough administered the oath of office to our newest Firefighter/Paramedic Anthony Anastasia on May 2.
Anthony comes to the Westlake Fire Department as a lateral hire from the Conneaut Fire Department in Ashtabula County.
The ceremony was well attended with several members of Anthony’s family making the drive from as far away as Warren Ohio. Also in attendance was Rocky River Fire Chief Aaron Lenart who was one of Anthony’s first fire service mentors. Several off duty Westlake Firefighters as well as those on duty who were not out on emergency calls were also there to welcome Anthony to the department.