WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

OVI in Westlake

On 3/1/25 at about 1:50AM, officers stopped a vehicle at Crocker and Clemens for a traffic violation. The female driver appeared intoxicated and submitted to field sobriety testing. The 19yo Avon Lake resident was arrested for OVI. She submitted to a breath test and was found to be over the legal limit. Her car was towed from the scene and she was transported to the Westlake Jail. The driver was charged with OVI and improper turn and was given a court date to appear in Rocky River Municipal Court. Her license was immediately suspended.

Puppy Scam

On 3/1/25 at approx. 2:30PM, a resident came to WPD to report a theft. The female had seen an advertisement on her Facebook feed. This post indicated that the person had a Great Dane puppy that needed to be re-homed. The ad said that the original owner had to move and could not take the puppy. The person was selling the dog for $750. The Westlake victim wanted to help the dog and negotiated a price with the fake seller. The money was transferred electronically but the dog was not delivered as promised. It appears all the information, including the identity of the seller was fake. A fraud report was taken.

Truck vs Shell Station

On 3/4/25 at approx. 10:15AM, WPD received calls that someone drove into the Shell Gas Station at Crocker and Clemens with a vehicle. A victim inside was actually pinned under an overturned cooler. The 72 yo man was freed before officers could get there but had to be transferred to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford F-150, a 68 yo man, admitted that his foot slipped off the brake onto the gas pedal when he was searching for something in his truck. A crash report was taken. Neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to play a factor in the crash.

Motel DOA

On 3/4/25 at about 11:30AM, an employee of the West Spring Inn on Sperry reported finding an unresponsive female in one of the hotel rooms. The 44yo Elyria resident had not checked out as expected that morning. Unfortunately, paramedics and officers found that she had died. Reports note that numerous items of drug paraphernalia including needles, razors and pipes were scattered in plain view in the room. Suspected narcotics were also confiscated. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner and Westlake PD Detectives processed the scene. No signs of violence were noted. The incident is being investigated as a drug overdose pending toxicology results from the Coroner.

Good Samaritan Call

On 3/5/25 at about 10AM, WPD received a call from a health care provider who reported that one of their patients had not arrived for their appointment. This was out of character for the 74yo man. Officers responded to his home to check on his welfare. Upon knocking on the door, the man called out for help. Officers broke in and found out that he had fallen and was stuck on the floor all night. Westlake Fire Paramedics were summoned and the man was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Complicated Crypto Scam

On 3/5/25 at approx. 7PM, an Avon resident appeared at the WPD station to report a fraud. The 62yo victim had received an unexpected email that appeared to be from the “Geek Squad.” The text indicated that her service contract with the IT service had been automatically renewed for 2 years and she had been charged $488 for the contract.

Knowing that she did not have an ongoing agreement with the “Geek Squad,” the victim called the phone number provided in the email to dispute the charges. Of course, the fake customer service representatives were more than happy to help fix the issues. The scammers indicated that the victim’s accounts had been compromised by fraudsters and the only way to fix the issue was to withdraw cash from bank accounts and deposit it into a local Bitcoin ATM. The fake Federal Trade Commission agents promised that the money would be returned once the accounts were secured. They talked the victim into depositing thousands into a BitCoin ATM in Westlake.

Almost immediately after the deposit, the victim received a phone call purporting to be from the Avon Police Department. The caller told the woman that she was now under investigation for money laundering and would have to pay more money to avoid warrants. The victim became suspicious and called Avon PD to confirm that all the callers were fake. Westlake officers had the victim immediately file a report with ic3.gov who can sometimes put a hold onto crypto funds before they are lost forever. A fraud report was generated.

***Westlake Police Department reminds residents to be very wary of unexpected text messages, emails and phone calls – even if they appear to come from legitimate sources. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency by scaring victims into believing that they have warrants, outstanding bills or their identity has already been used for nefarious purposes. If someone instructs you to buy gift cards or guides you to take out large sums of cash from the bank it is always a fraud!!! Do not call phone numbers supplied in emails, texts or voicemails. Verify information independently with confirmed phone numbers from other trusted sources. Call your local police department for advice if there is any doubt. ***

Beware of Voyeurism

On 2/8/25 at approx. 4:15PM, officers were dispatched to Dave and Busters on First St. on a voyeurism complaint. A 12yo boy noticed that he was being watched by a cell phone camera in the bathroom of the restaurant. A chaperone of the boy confronted the suspect. Officers learned that the suspect male, a 20yo Cleveland resident, actually worked at Dave and Busters. Management helped the officers locate the man and interview him. The suspect denied taking any photos or videos of the boy but did talk about using his phone to “check” if there were feet in a stall next to him. Probable cause was established and the man was arrested without further incident. He was charged with felony voyeurism. Detectives continue to analyze the man’s phone.

CVS Theft

On 2/12/25 at about 3:45PM, an employee of the CVS at Bradley and Detroit called to report a theft. The witness described a man who was only in the store about 5 minutes before carrying out a basket full of merchandise without paying for anything. The clerk saw the man flee the parking lot in a grey Toyota Corolla with a Texas plate. 36 items were taken which totaled over $1000. WPD officers noticed the get away vehicle on Detroit Rd in the area of Bassett. Even before the officers tried to stop the car, it began to flee E/B. The officers pursued the car for a short time before the chase was called off for safety reasons. While the car was a rental, detectives followed up and noticed from local license plate readers that it had been frequenting the Warrensville Hts area. The vehicle was soon located unoccupied at an apartment complex in that city. Evidence from the impounded car revealed the identity of the suspect. The case will be presented to the county grand jury with recommendations for charges of felony fleeing and theft for the 33yo Jersey City, NJ man.

Hero at Bay Food Mart

On February 25, 2025 at 1:22 pm, the owner of Bay Food Mart contacted police to report a fraud. Two Bay Village residents were instructed by scammers to deposit money into BitCoin. Thankfully, the owner understood that this was a scam, calling the police to report the incidents. Bay Village Detectives are investigating.

Reckless Driver

On February 27, 2025 at 9:24 am, a concerned motorist called BVPD to report a reckless driver near on Lake Road near Columbia Road. The caller advised police of the make and model of the suspect vehicle, stating it was passing cars and tail-gaiting. BVPD officers located the vehicle, parked at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. Contact was made with the driver who was strongly advised of the complaint.

Rifle Spotted?

On February 27, 2025 at 2:47 pm, the Westlake PD requested mutual aid from the Bay Village Police Department in looking for a male walking north bound on Dover Center Rd from Detroit with a rifle. BVPD units arrived near Dover Center Road at the railroad tracks and observed a male matching the description. The male was cooperative with police and was found carrying an umbrella with him. The male was advised of the complaint and sent on his way.

More Fraud

On February 28, 2025 at 5:18 pm, an Ednil Road resident responded to BVPD to report she was the victim of a Fraud. The resident reported an unknown individual had filed for unemployment using her name. Police gathered information and are investigating.

Numerous OVIs in Bay

On March 1, 2025 at 1:22 am, a BVPD unit observed a traffic violation near Lake/Humiston. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, it was suspected he was under the influence. The driver submitted to standardized testing and subsequently was placed under arrest for OVI. The male was conveyed back to BVPD jail to be booked. The male did submit to a breath sample yielding a BAC of 0.167%. The 17-year-old Cleveland resident was charged with OVI, BAC, Certain acts prohibited, speed and marked lanes. He was turned over to his parent. The male will be facing charges through Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.

On March 2, 2025, at 2:25 am, a BVPD unit observed a traffic violation near Bassett/Osborn. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, it was suspect he was under the influence. The driver submitted to standardized field tests and subsequently was placed under arrest for OVI. The male was conveyed back to BVPD jail to be booked. The driver submitted to a breath test, resulting in a BAC of 0.169%. The 26-year-old Westlake resident was charged with OVI, BAC, speed, and headlights required. He will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

On March 2, 2025, at 5:39 pm, a concerned citizen contacted BVPD to report a possible intoxicated driver near Lake/Cahoon. Police arrived in the area and the caller was able to point out the suspect vehicle. Bay officers witnessed multiple moving violations and stopped the vehicle in the area of Lake Road and Vineland Road. Upon speaking with the driver, it was suspected he was under the influence. The driver submitted to standardized field tests and subsequently was placed under arrest for OVI. The driver was brought back to BVPD jail to be booked. The male refused a breath sample. The 32-year-old Cleveland resident was charged with OVI, open container, no driver’s license, lanes of travel, and passing/overtaking a vehicle. He will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

On February 16, 2025 at 1:00am, a BVPD unit observed a traffic violation near Upland/Electric. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, it was suspected they were under the influence. The driver submitted to standardized field sobriety testing and subsequently placed under arrest for OVI. The female was conveyed back to BVPD jail to be booked. The 22 year old Cleveland resident was charged with OVI, marked lanes, and turning at intersections. She will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Active Warrant Discovered by Traffic Stop

On February 17, 2025 at 12:41am, a BVPD unit observed a traffic violation near Donald/W. Oviatt. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver and being identified. The driver had an active warrant through North Royalton PD. BVPD conveyed and turned over the male to North Royalton PD. The 38-year-old Elyria resident was issued a citation for driving under suspension and turn signals required. He will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Driving Under Suspension

On February 17, 2025 at 10:48 am, a BVPD unit observed a traffic violation near Clague/Wolf. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver failed to stop and continued onto 90 East. The driver stopped near 90E/Detroit Rd. The 28-year-old Cleveland resident was charged with driving under suspension, willful or wanton operation and window tint. He will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Fraud on Facebook Marketplace

On February 19, 2025 at 2:30pm, a resident responded to BVPD to report she was a victim of a fraud. The resident reported she saw a Facebook marketplace post for an item being sold. She sent the person $500 as a down payment. She soon found out the Facebook account was gone and was out the $500 dollars. BVPD is investigating.

Invalid Driver’s License

On February 19, 2025 at 11:00 pm, a BVPD unit observed several traffic violations near Russell/Dover Center. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, it was discovered the operator did not have a valid driver’s license. BVPD contacted Illinois State Police who confirmed the vehicle’s plates were expired and fictitious. The vehicle was towed and the driver was issued citations for no operator’s license, red traffic light, and fictitious plates. The 55-year-old Cleveland resident will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Beware: Red Sedan Tries to Pick Up Child

On February 21, 2025 at 4:22pm, a witness contacted police to report a suspicious circumstance which had happened about 10-15 minutes ago. The female reported she observed a red sedan pull over near Cahoon/Lincoln. The male driver was described as white, middle aged, and had white hair. The male asked the young girl walking home if she needed a ride home, due to her appearing as she was struggling while carrying her trombone case. The girl told the male no multiple times and he drove off southbound on Cahoon. The female caller stated she walked the juvenile home due to being concerned for her. Police responded and spoke with the juvenile and her parent. Police are investigating this incident.