The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Can’t Take No for an Answer
On 4/13/26 at about 8:30AM, WPD received a 911 call from the Red Roof Inn on Clemens requesting police response. The caller reported that a man at the motel had invited her and her husband to the room to “smoke and drink.” The caller said that once her husband left the room to go to work, the man who remained became upset because she would not have sex with him. An argument ensued. Officers interviewed the man and woman in the room. The male, a 37yo Aurora resident, appeared intoxicated and admitted to drinking that morning. His story was that the woman and her husband had “wandered” into his room so they drank and smoked marijuana together. Investigation revealed that the man who rented the room, the Aurora resident, was in possession of a 10mm semiautomatic firearm. He was disqualified from possession of a gun due to prior convictions of felony menacing with a firearm and felonious assault. The subject was arrested and charged with Having Weapons while Under Disability, a felony.
Drones Spot Fugitive in Westlake
On 4/14/26 at approx. 12:30AM, an employee of the Sonesta Suites on Clemens called WPD to report that a man and woman were arguing in the parking lot of the hotel. The concerned caller indicated that the man broke out the woman’s car window and pointed a gun at her and her adult sons. The male, described as walking away with a duffle bag, left on foot as the employee called for help. As a report was taken from the victim, other Westlake and Bay Village PD officers established a perimeter around the area where the victim’s boyfriend was last seen walking. As the area was wooded, drones from both departments were deployed immediately to help find the armed suspect. A bit after 1AM, the drones spotted the man laying down in the brush. Officers gave commands for the man to come out peacefully but he ignored the orders. Pepperball was deployed in the area to make the hiding place uncomfortable. The man quickly gave up upon smelling the chemical munitions. He was taken into custody without any further incident. The 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun was recovered from the man’s hiding spot and was still contained in the duffle bag. The victim sustained visible but apparently minor injuries during the attack. She declined further medical evaluation. The suspect, a 38yo Lakewood man, was arrested and charged with Felony Strangulation, Domestic Violence, criminal damaging and menacing his girlfriend’s adult son with the firearm. The suspect had prior convictions for domestic violence, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. These prior felonies disqualified him from possession of a gun therefore he was also charged with felony Having Weapons while under disability.
Drug Trafficking
On 4/15/26 at approx. 3:30PM, an officer stopped a vehicle on Crocker Rd for equipment and license plate violations. The investigators noted signs of drug use in the car and investigated further. The driver, a 23yo Cleveland man, was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun. Over 142 grams of suspected marijuana in various packaging, a scale and numerous empty plastic baggies were located in the car along with over $1000 in cash. Reports also note the recovery of a credit card reader/writer from the front seat. None of the occupants claimed responsibility for the illegal amount and packaging of the drugs. The driver was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and drug trafficking. The 2 passengers, a 22yo East Cleveland man and a 23yo Cleveland man, were also arrested and charged with drug trafficking.
Man Throws Hammer at Semi
On 4/16/26 at about 11:15AM, WPD received a call from a man driving on I90 who reported that he had been involved in an alarming road rage with a grey pickup truck. The complainant, who was driving a semi – said that a man in a Honda pulled in front of him on the highway somewhere in Cleveland/Lakewood. The pickup then began to brake check the semi. The driver that was slowing suddenly in front of the semi also “flipped the bird” to the driver of the semi. The semi truck driver thought the episode was over as the Honda pickup sped up and was soon well ahead of the semi. The driver of the Honda decided that the episode was not over and pulled over to the berm waiting for the semi to pass. In the area of Columbia, the victim saw the driver of the Honda outside his vehicle in the berm of the highway. When the semi passed, the suspect threw a hammer at the semi striking the side of the cab. The victim added that the suspect even walked partially into the lane of travel to get a better shot at the semi. There was damage noted to the victim’s truck. Officers began to check Flock License Plate readers and available surveillance to narrow down a suspect plate. Meanwhile, WPD received a call from Cleveland PD (CPD) with a request. CPD was looking for a man wanted for felony vandalism. According to Cleveland reports, the same guy entered the Cleveland Convention Center and attached downtown hotel several times. The suspect even disguised himself at times to enter the businesses. Each time the suspect caused damage to the interior of the centers. Overall, the man earned felony vandalism charges as the cost for repairs would be over $100,000. As luck would have it, the license plate of the suspect in the Cleveland vandalism matched one of the plates developed in the Westlake hammer throwing incident. WPD officers quickly tracked the man to the front yard of a home on Columbia Rd. On 4/20/26 at about 2:30PM, the 51yo suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The man admitted to getting into the road dispute with the semi as he believed that the truck was going too slow in the left lane. He also admitted to throwing the hammer in anger then retrieving the tool from the roadway before heading to his Westlake home. WPD charged with man was criminal damaging. CPD later picked him up to answer to the charges in their jurisdiction.
Rollover Accident
On 4/18/26 at approx. 1:05PM, WPD received multiple calls about a roll over motor vehicle crash at Hilliard Bl and Canterbury Rd. Officers arrived to find a man was stuck inside a Ford pickup truck which was now on its side. The man had to be assisted out of the vehicle by using ladders. Investigation revealed that a 62yo Westlake man in a Toyota Rav4 ran a red light on Hilliard and struck the Ford truck in the intersection. This caused the Ford to veer off the roadway, strike a roadside boulder and overturn. Luckily, only minor injuries were reported. The at fault driver was cited with disobeying a traffic control device.
Travelling over 100 MPH on I-90
On 4/18/26 at about 3:45AM WPD officers on patrol noticed a vehicle traveling over 100MPH on I90 E/B in the area of Cahoon. The Buick Verano didn’t slow down even after passing the police cruiser which was stationary. Officers caught up with the vehicle which was also driving over lane lines. A traffic stop was initiated in the area of Detroit Rd. The driver estimated he had been driving at 80MPH. Reports note that this was a 60MPH zone. The 41yo Oberlin man admitted that he did not have a valid driver’s license. The driver showed signs of intoxication and an open can of alcoholic Cutwater was sitting in his center console. The driver was field tested and arrested for OVI. His vehicle was impounded and towed from the scene. The driver refused a breath test and was placed under another license suspension. He was cited with OVI, driving under suspension, marked lanes violation and open container prohibited. He had 1 prior OVI conviction.
Scammed on Dating App
On April 12, 2026 at 4:52pm, Bay Village Police were dispatched to an E. Oviatt home on report of an unwanted guest. After an investigation, officers determined that a male had been scammed by someone on a dating app. The male was given the address and had driven to the home in hopes of a meeting. He was also advised to bring gift cards for the homeowner’s children. Once at the home, the resident told the male that they had never met online and there was some mistake. The male was advised to have no further contact and he was sent on his way.
Road Rage
On April 13, 2026 at 6pm, Bay Village Police were on patrol in the area of Dover Center and Bruce when they noticed two individuals who were about to have a physical confrontation. The officers spoke with the males and found that this originated as a road rage incident in a neighboring city. Both males were calmed down before they were cited for disorderly conduct and sent on their way.
Spotted with a Drone
On April 14, 2026 at 12:31am, Bay Village Police were dispatched to area of Bassett Road and the railroad tracks to assist Westlake PD. Westlake PD had been dispatched to the Sonesta on report of a male threatening a female with a gun. Bay Village Police responded to the area to assist. This included a drone operator who was able to use this technology to locate the male hiding nearby in the woods. Officers converged on the area and used pepperballs to subdue the subject before taking him into custody.
Counterfeit $100 Bill Received
On April 14, 2026 at 11:44am, Bay Village Police were dispatched to Walgreens on report of a counterfeit bill that had been received. Police responded and spoke with the manager, who reported that a $100 bill had been used for a purchase. Walgreens was able to provide video of the interaction. Bay Village Detectives are investigating.
Jury Duty Scam
On April 16, 2026 at 12:38pm, a distraught female arrived on station to report she had been called by someone at the county sheriff’s office telling her that she missed jury duty and there was a warrant for her arrest. She thought it was probably a scam but wanted to confirm with officers. An officer was dispatched to the lobby to speak with the resident and confirmed there was not a warrant. The victim explained to officers that she had spoken to several individuals who requested $10,000 in bitcoin. Bay Village Detectives are investigating.
Suspicious Situation
On April 18, 2026 at 2:35pm, Bay Village Police were dispatched to the 29000 block of Lincoln Rd on report of a suspicious situation. The resident reported that when she arrived home her front door was standing open. Officers responded and checked the interior of the home. No one was located inside and nothing appeared to have been taken. Unknown how the door became opened.
