WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Reckless Motorcycle

On 4/24/26 at approx. 5AM, an officer on patrol watched as a motorcycle disregarded a red light at Crocker and Schwartz. It drove through the light at about 40mph before speeding off. The officer pursued the bike for a very short time but noted that the rider’s reckless operation was putting everyone in danger. The officer quickly called off the pursuit. WPD detectives picked up the case and used available Westlake intersection cameras to track the light blue sports bike with a male operator. Westlake’s Flock License Plate readers were used to actually develop the PA plate on the suspect motorcycle. The bike was later found parked at the Sonesta Suites on Clemens. The motorcycle was impounded as evidence. The owner of the motorcycle, who was in town from Pennsylvania while working for a tree trimming company, was contacted. At first, he denied any involvement with the police department. Eventually he admitted to driving recklessly on Crocker. He claimed he never saw the officer’s lights or heard his siren. The 24yo Corry, PA man was cited with failure to comply.

Erratic Individual

On 4/24/26 at approx. 4:30PM, officers responded to the Dunkin Donuts on Detroit Rd for a reported theft. A heavy set man had entered the store and after his credit card was declined for a purchase, he stole all the cash from the employees’ tip jar. The WPD officers took a report and recognized the description of the suspect who had been arrested 6 times by WPD since the end of February. The employees even pointed out that the guy was wearing a court ordered ankle monitor when he stole the tip money. As the officers were finishing up at the theft call, WPD received a complaint from a nearby restaurant of a man inside causing a disturbance. He had yelled at the bartender and was acting aggressively. The description of the suspect matched. Officers arrived and confirmed that the suspect was the same person from Dunkin Donuts. He appeared intoxicated and was placed under arrest for being disorderly while intoxicated and theft. The 45yo Westlake man was processed and later released from the jail with a court date to appear in Rocky River Municipal Court. By 4/25/26 at around 3PM, WPD was dealing with the same man again. This time an auto parts store on Center Ridge called to report that the suspect had applied for a job there. After being told he was not hired, the male entered the store several times and stole items. On this day he took a pair of reading glasses after throwing items around the store. An employee snapped a photo of the suspect before he hopped on an RTA bus. It was the same man. Later that day, the officers responded to the suspect’s residence and took him into custody without further incident. He was held in jail until the court was open on Monday. Reports note that the same suspect has been arrested for assaults, disorderly conduct while intoxicated, shopliftings and thefts of packages from his apartment building – just this year.

Endangering Children

On 4/25/26 at about 9:30PM, an officer stopped a vehicle for speeding on I90 in the area of Lear Nagle. The driver explained that his autistic child in the back seat had to use the bathroom. This seemed reasonable until the officer pointed out that the driver had just passed the exit ramp where there were ample comfort facilities. The driver said he did not like Get-Go gas and was headed to a McDonalds further down the highway. The story did not add up and the officer noted signs of drug use in the vehicle. The 33yo Lorain man turned over a baggie of marijuana when asked about drugs or guns in the car. Further investigation revealed that the man also had a loaded handgun with an extended magazine completely unholstered/unsecured under the driver’s seat. The 9mm Sig Sauer was confiscated and reports note that the 7 and 8yo boys in the back seat could easily have reached the gun. The man’s wife was called to the scene to take custody of the children. The suspect was arrested and charged with Endangering Children and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

OVI for Uber Driver

On 4/26/26 at approx. 2:30AM, officers stopped a vehicle on Clague into Bay Village for a traffic violation. The man explained that he was delivering for Uber Eats. A bag of food was seen on the front passenger seat which backed up this story. The problem was that the driver was slurring his speech and otherwise appeared intoxicated. He admitted to drinking a High Noon about an hour prior. He was field tested and arrested for OVI. An impound of the vehicle also revealed a used marijuana vape. The 30yo Cleveland man took a breath test and was found to be over 1 and ½ times the legal limit of alcohol in his system. He was charged with OVI, having excess Breath alcohol content and failure to dim high beams. He had no prior OVI convictions.

“A little alcohol on” His Breath

On 4/29/26 at about 6:45PM, an officer stopped a vehicle on Dover Center at the Bay Village city line after seeing the car weave several times over the center double yellow lane lines. The driver appeared intoxicated but said he was just coming from work. Later, he admitted he stopped at the bar on the way home. He told the officers that he had an open bottle of vodka in his lunch box in the vehicle. The 55yo Bay Village man was field tested and arrested for OVI. Although the driver stated that the officers would “find a little alcohol on” his breath, he refused a chemical test. The man was cited with OVI, traffic violations and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. His license was immediately suspended for refusing a breath test. Reports note that he had a prior OVI conviction in 2022.

No License for Westlake Miscreant

On 4/29/26 at about 2:40AM, an officer observed a vehicle on Detroit Rd at Crocker make several traffic violations. As the officer was trying to catch up with the Chrysler 300 it quickly turned into an apartment complex and turned off all of its lights in an attempt to evade the officer. This was not successful as the officer stopped the vehicle as it parked in the lot. The driver admitted he did not have a license. The 34yo Westlake man not only had a suspended license but had warrants for his arrest for past license and traffic violations that he had not appeared for. The driver appeared intoxicated but declined to perform field sobriety tests. He was arrested and charged with OVI and Driving Under suspension along with moving violations. He refused a breath test so another suspension was placed on his license. The man had 1 prior OVI in 2018.

Look Out for the Weaving Driver!

On 5/7/26 at approx. 4:15PM, an officer heard several vehicles honking on Center Ridge Rd in the area of the Recreation Center. Motorists were honking at a Dodge SUV that had drifted left of center and almost caused a crash. The officer followed the vehicle as it continued to weave E/B on Center Ridge. The vehicle was stopped in the area of Dover Center. The man driving, a 33yo Wellington, OH resident, explained his erratic driving by saying that he was on a new medication and was “just trying to drive.” Investigators observed signs of drug use and field tested the man. He was arrested for OVI. Several prescription medications were recovered from the vehicle. At least one was labeled with the name of a female. When asked about the pill bottle, the driver admitted he “got” the bottle from a home he was renovating. A large bottle of nitrous oxide was also recovered from inside the passenger compartment. Although the bottle was open, the suspect denied he had been inhaling it while driving. The driver was charged with OVI, possession of nitrous oxide in a motor vehicle, driving in marked lanes and felony possession of narcotics.

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.

Physical Confrontation

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.

Drone Finds Gun Suspect

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 Bill

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.