The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Motorcycle Crash on Cahoon
On 8/16/25 at approx. 4:20PM, officers responded to the report of a motorcycle crash with injury in the 1200 block of Cahoon Rd. Officers and EMS arrived to find that the 1 vehicle crash caused the motorcycle to strike a mailbox and skid to a stop into brush, a large rock and finally a utility pole. The rider was thrown from the bike and sustained serious but apparently non-life threatening injuries. He was wearing a helmet when riding. The man was transported to UH St. John Medical Center for treatment. Speed is considered to be a factor in the crash.
Westlake Manhunt
On 8/17/25 at approx. 2:05AM WPD received a call from The State Highway Patrol reporting that troopers were in pursuit of a stolen silver GMC SUV on I90. The vehicle was observed exiting the highway and was spotted by a Westlake officer on Columbia. The vehicle, operating without headlights, did not stop for the WPD officer either and a pursuit was initiated. The approx. 2 minute vehicle pursuit ended when the suspect SUV went off the roadway at Columbia and Wolf in Bay Village. The driver immediately fled on foot while the passenger complied with officers’ orders to remain on scene. The passenger was taken into custody without further incident while officers searched yards of nearby residences for the fleeing felon. An alert Westlake officer noticed wet footprints leading around a fence in a nearby yard. The driver was found hiding behind a wood pile in the yard. He then complied with orders and was taken into custody. A baggie of suspected cocaine was found in the driver’s pocket after his arrest. Investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from a victim in Cleveland. An AR style rifle was recovered from the back seat of the vehicle. The driver, a 25yo Cleveland man, had an entered felony warrant from Cleveland PD for Arson. In addition to a Fail to Comply and receiving stolen property charge, the man was cited with having weapons under disability as he was not allowed to possess a firearm due to previous felony convictions. The passenger, a 28yo Cleveland man, was charged with complicity. He was also found to have a felony warrant out of the State Highway Patrol as he was identified as the driver in a previous vehicle pursuit involving state troopers. Both were taken to the Westlake City Jail.
“Apple Fraud Dept.”
On 8/17/25 at about 5PM, a citizen responded to the WPD lobby to report a fraud. The man had received an unexpected text message that morning that purported to come from the “Apple Fraud Department.” The text advised that someone was trying to withdraw funds from the man’s “Apple account.” The victim contacted the provided phone number which connected him to a fake Apple support person. After a few transfers the victim was talking to a fraudulent “Federal Trade Commission Officer.” The fraudsters talked the victim into thinking that the man’s accounts had been compromised. He was told to withdraw cash from the bank, to tell the bank employees it was for a “vacation,” and to deposit the funds into a nearby Crypto Currency ATM. This was all to clear up the victim’s accounts with a “promise” from the thieves that the cash would be returned. The man deposited over $15,000 into the crypto-ATM before he realized it was a fraud. A report was generated and the incident was reported to IC3.gov.
Shoplifters Nabbed
On 7/24/25 at approx. 1PM, an employee of Sephora reported a theft from the store. The suspects had left approx. 15 minutes before the call to police. The suspect female, who had 2 children in tow and appeared to be working with a male customer, loaded up a large purse with products from Gucci, Dior and YSL. In all she made off with approx. $1500 in goods without paying. A report was generated for follow-up.
On 8/1/25 at about 4:30PM, WPD received a call from Ulta Beauty reporting a theft. The employees explained that they had witnessed, via video camera, 2 individuals stealing product on 7/24 and 7/30. When the officer reviewed the surveillance, he realized that these were the same 2 people from the earlier reported Sephora theft. Reports note that in both cases, the man appears to distract the staff by asking questions while the female uses a large purse to conceal high end products. All while 2-3 kids run around the store.
When a detective responded to Ulta on 8/13 to follow-up, he learned that the same female suspect had been in the store on 8/9 and left without paying for over $850 worth of goods. She had 3 kids with her for that theft. It appeared that the younger teens were even being used as a lookout while the adult was concealing items in a large bag.
Using City of Westlake Traffic Cameras, License Plate Readers and law enforcement partner information, investigators were able to determine the temporary tag that the female used as a get away car for all the thefts. In fact, when the officers obtained the photo of the owner of the car, they confirmed that she was in fact the owner. Law enforcement databases soon led to the identity of the man involved as well. Warrants were obtained for both.
On 8/16/25 at approx. 1:30PM, an alert Westlake Detective spotted the same suspect vehicle. Of course, it went directly to Ulta again. By the time additional units arrived to take the pair into custody for their previous thefts, the female was again able to steal items from the store. She was arrested with the newly stolen items as she walked back to her running vehicle in the lot. 4 kids, aged 7, 9, 15 and 16 were in the running car. All were relatives of the man and woman.
The male suspect was arrested as he exited the store. He admitted to the officers that he also had cocaine folded up in a lottery ticket in his pocket. It was recovered and submitted to evidence. The kids were transported to the Westlake PD to await a family member to collect them while the adults were booked into the Westlake Jail. The woman, a 34yo from Akron, was charged with Felony Theft. The man, a 35yo from Akron, was charged with Felony Theft and possession of cocaine. Additional charges including child endangering will be presented to the county grand jury.
Out-of-Control Driver
On 8/21/25 at approx. 4:30PM, WPD received multiple 911 calls about a multiple vehicle MVA on Center Ridge Rd in the area of Center Ridge and Walter. Investigation showed that a vehicle, traveling E/B on Center Ridge, crossed the center line so far that it drove over the south tree lawn of Center Ridge and struck unoccupied cars in a business parking lot off the roadway. Witnesses relayed that the operator exited the vehicle, attempted to hide objects by the business sign, then struck the parked cars several more times to free his own vehicle before fleeing the scene. Witnesses filmed the fleeing vehicle and obtained a license plate. While officers at the scene of the crash discovered that the suspect had dumped a nitrous oxide container before driving away, other WPD officers responded immediately to the registered owner’s home which was near by in Westlake. Officers located the damaged car in a residential garage and spoke to the driver. The 42yo Westlake man admitted he passed out behind the wheel but claimed that he did not know why. He denied huffing or consuming any other intoxicating substances. He was arrested for OVI and transported to the Westlake Jail. Reports note that 3 unoccupied vehicles had been damaged in the crash in addition to the suspect’s car. Luckily no one was injured. The driver, who had 1 prior OVI conviction, was also charged with failure to control and hit skip.
Deer Invades Business
On 8/27/25 at about 9AM, WPD received a call from a business in the 28000 block of Clemens Rd. Employees had arrived for work and found a large window broken out. Noticing blood, they inspected the area, listened to a ruckus inside, and learned that a deer had mistakenly jumped into the business. Not knowing what to do, they contacted their full service police department. The animal was still inside thrashing around when officers arrived. The Westlake Animal Control officer worked with police officers to corral the deer and guide him outside. Unfortunately, the deer saw people standing around outside and immediately jumped through another window back inside the business. Officers had to wait for him to tire out inside the office before they were able to drag him out with a snare. (yes he was a “him” as he had some antlers) The deer had cuts but immediately ran away into the woods when released. The burglar’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
Lyft Ride Gone Wrong
On 8/28/25 at about 5:10AM, WPD received several calls about a Lyft ride that went wrong. The Lyft customer called to complain that his driver kicked him out at the Shell station at Crocker and Clemens. The Lyft company called to report that the driver had pushed an emergency button in the car and the employee at Shell called to report that the Lyft driver was asking for police help because his fare was mentally ill, was threatening him and was now yelling at passing motorists. Officers arrived to find out that the man the Lyft driver picked up at the Jack Casino was acting erratically in the car and was calling him names while talking about the CIA and other governmental agencies. The driver became more alarmed when threatening statements were made. The customer, a 37yo Westlake resident, was arrested and charged with menacing. He was held in the Westlake Jail for a protection order and mental health evaluation.
Injured Hawk
On 8/29/25 at about 2PM, WPD received a call from a concerned citizen reporting that there was an injured hawk on their deck and they did not know what to do with it. Officers responded and found that the bird had managed to make it to the residential roadway but did appear sick or injured. The policeman coaxed the hawk into a cage and transported it to the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center for assessment and treatment.
Shoplifters Caught
On 8/29/25 at approx. 6PM, WPD received a call from Sunglass Hut reporting a shoplifting. 2 women had worked together to lift a pair of Versace sunglasses valued at over $300. The suspects were found in a nearby parking lot. The stolen sunglasses were returned to the store and both women were arrested. Tin foil was found on the suspects. Officers knew this was often used to wrap electronic tags on merchandise to defeat anti-theft sensors. A 32 year old Lorain resident was charged with complicity while a 41yo Lorain woman was charged with theft. Charges of Possession of Criminal Tools were added for both women.
Creep
On 8/29/25 at approx. 11:15PM, WPD received a call from employees at a bar in the 27000 block of Detroit Rd. They indicated that a man, who appeared to be in his 30’s, was “being creepy” in the establishment and was asked to leave. He went to his white Chevy van in the parking lot and appeared to be dozing off. Officers found the man as described behind the wheel of his van in the lot. The 55yo Madison, OH driver appeared confused and could not figure out how to roll down his door window. Reports indicate that he appeared intoxicated. When asked how much he had been drinking, the man simply said “enough.” The driver refused to participate in field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest. He was charged with Having Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle while being intoxicated. The suspect did take a breath test and was found to be over 2 and ½ times the legal limit.
At Least He Tried
On 8/31/25 at about 4:45PM, officers stopped a vehicle on Hilliard into Rocky River for lane violations. The driver told the officers that he did not have his license with him but relayed a name and social security number. The investigator noted that the driver looked nervous as other officers ran the information through databases. After learning that the information did not appear to belong to anyone, the officers asked him to repeat his social security numbers. This time, the driver gave different information. Realizing the man was not being truthful, officers had him step from the vehicle and found out who he really was. The suspect then admitted that he had warrants and was going to jail anyway so he figured he would at least “try.” The driver was found to be a 47yo Cleveland man who not only had a suspended driver’s license, but was also wanted by 3 different agencies for traffic and drug offenses. A small amount of suspected methamphetamine was located in the vehicle. The man was charged with drug possession, driving under suspension and misidentification.
Motorcycle Rearends Car
On 8/31/25 at about 5PM, officers responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. Investigation revealed that the rider of a Harley Davidson did not stop for traffic in time and laid the bike down before sliding into the rear of a Toyota Corolla. The male rider was seriously injured but is expected to survive. He was not wearing a helmet. The man was later cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance.
