The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Parents concerned over a man taking pictures of kids at the Crocker Park Splash Pad last week was eventually arrested on several suspicious counts.
On 7/24/18 Westlake Police received a report that a white male had been taking photographs of children while they played at the splash pad at Crocker Park during their monthly Crocker Kids Event. Parents became alarmed and contacted security. Crocker Park Security and WPD officers responded but could not locate the male to identify him. This incident was being investigated when, on 8/9/18 at approx. 3:20PM, WPD received a report that the described male was again on Crocker Park Property. This time Westlake officers located the male at his vehicle. While speaking to the 40yo from North Olmsted, investigators discovered that he was in possession of marijuana, handcuffs, and a black jack weapon. The male was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and carrying various weapons. The investigation is ongoing in regards to any photographs taken.
Man Videos Females at Crocker Park ‘Looking for Memories’
On 8/10/18 at approx. 11:47AM WPD received a report from a concerned citizen reporting that a male was in a store at Crocker Park using his cell phone to take photos or videos up females’ skirts. The witness obtained a very good description of the perpetrator and officers were able to stop him after he left the scene. Surveillance video confirmed that the male had been surreptitiously recording up victims’ skirts while they were shopping. The 28yo from Lakewood initially denied his actions but later “justified” his actions by saying that some people have photographic memories, he just saves his on his phone. The male was charged with voyeurism and possession of criminal tools through Rocky River Municipal Court. Investigators are still attempting to identify further criminal actions by reviewing the male’s digital devices.
‘Shrooms’ Bust in Westlake
On 8/11/18 and again on 8/13/18 WPD officers recovered illegal Psilocybin mushrooms from traffic stops. On 8/11 at approx. 4:09Pm an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Hilliard and Columbia Rds. The driver not only had a suspended license he admitted that there were “shooms” in the trunk of the vehicle. The 25yo from North Olmsted was arrested for felony possession of drugs. On 8/13 another vehicle was stopped on I90 for a traffic violation. The officers smelled marijuana and the operator admitted that there was marijuana and mushrooms in the vehicle. A scale, marijuana, baggies, a smoking pipe, and more than 100 grams of suspected illegal mushrooms were recovered. The 29yo driver from Vermilion was arrested for felony hallucinogen possession.
Prostitution Arrests
On 8/14/18, after a day long investigation, officers identified and arrested 2 persons involved in prostitution. The two were working out of a hotel on Sperry Rd in Westlake. The female, a 29yo who listed Fayetteville, NC as her address, was charged with misdemeanor soliciting prostitution. The male, a 29yo from the same town, was charged with felony procuring for prostitution (Pimping).
