The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
McDonald’s Road Rage Involves Guns
On 6/15/22 at approx. 9:20AM officers responded to the McDonalds drive thru at Westbay Plaza for a reported road rage. The operators of 2 vehicle had gotten into a traffic related dispute in the line while waiting for food. The female driver of one of the cars pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the other vehicle while yelling out the window. Westlake officers stopped the suspect vehicle on Crocker at Detroit just after it had left the parking lot. The female driver admitted to having a handgun in the car but claimed that the other vehicle involved had attempted to “ram” her vehicle. Investigation revealed that a handgun and ammunition were in her vehicle. Suspected marijuana as well as crushed and whole ecstasy pills were also confiscated. The 38yo Cleveland resident was charged with inducing panic, Felony possession of drugs and tampering with evidence as she tried to hide the baggies of narcotics upon being stopped by police. The male in the other vehicle did not want to press menacing charges.
I-90 Driver Calls in OVI Suspect
On 6/11/22 at about 11:15PM WPD received a call from a concerned citizen reporting a possible OVI of a Jeep on I90. The caller witnessed the vehicle driving half-way on the shoulder of the highway. A WPD officer located the vehicle and stopped it at Cahoon after witnessing it drive over lane lines several times. Despite the fact that the vehicle had the doors removed, the officer was still able to detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver. The 20yo Avon Lake female appeared intoxicated and was field tested. She was soon arrested for OVI. Her vehicle was impounded and towed from the scene while she was transported to the Westlake Jail. The driver was cited with underage consumption, OVI and Prohibited Breath Alcohol Content after she was found to be almost 4 times the legal limit.
Fraudulent Check Fail
On 6/14/22 at approx. 1:30PM WPD officers were called to a Westlake bank on Detroit Rd. A teller called to report that a customer was inside the bank trying to pass a fraudulent check and caused a disturbance when the employee would not return his ID. Officers found the male still inside the bank when they arrived. The suspect claimed that he was trying to cash a legitimate check he had earned working construction. When the company listed on the $2000 check was contacted, it was confirmed that it had never been issued. The 46yo Cleveland resident was arrested. Officers also learned that he had an entered felony warrant out of Cuyahoga County for a probation violation from a past assault. The male was charged with felony forgery.
Hit-Skip Crash Leads to Arrests
On 6/17/22 at about 10:15AM officers responded to a report of a hit-skip crash on Detroit at Crocker Rd. A red vehicle fled the scene of the accident but was followed by the vehicle that had been struck. Rocky River Police stopped the suspect vehicle on I90. The driver, a 21yo Cleveland female, had no license and several outstanding warrants including felony weapons violations out of Cuyahoga County. The female passenger in the suspect vehicle also had warrants including one from Westlake PD for obstruction. Both persons were arrested for their warrants. One of the arrested persons reported minor injuries from the accident. Traffic citations for hit-skip and failure to yield are expected once the crash investigation is complete.
Attempted Theft at Walgreens
On 6/15/22 at approx. 1:20PM Walgreens called WPD to report an attempted theft. A male had entered the store earlier in the day and used a tool to attempt to break a lock on the fragrance case. While the suspect had broken the lock, he was not able to enter the cabinet before employees approached and he fled the store. An attempted theft report was taken. Photographs of the male are attached. The suspect is described as a middle aged white male wearing jeans with black shoes, a white t-shirt and a white baseball cap. He left the area in the company of a female in a white sedan. If anyone knows the suspect male or has further information about this or any other crime, they can call the WPD dispatch center at 440-871-3311.
Wallet Stolen in Distraction Fight
On 6/5/22 at about 4:15PM a customer of the Burntwood Tavern called WPD to report her wallet had been stolen from her purse while she dined at the restaurant. An officer learned that the victim couple had witnessed another couple in an apparent argument at the bar earlier in the afternoon. The arguing couple had approached very close to the bar chair where the victim’s purse was hanging then left before being served at the establishment. It was only later that the victim realized that she was missing the wallet. The stolen credit cards had already been used at stores in Avon. Officers tracked down surveillance of the couple as they used the stolen credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars in merchandise. The couple using the cards was confirmed as the same couple who had been arguing at the Burntwood Tavern. A 29yo male and 36yo female were identified as the suspected thieves. Both had last known addresses in Philadelphia, PA. Felony theft warrants are being sought.
Car v. Utility Pole
On 6/3/22 at approx. 2:30PM officers responded to the report of a vehicle into a utility pole with potential injuries on Bradley Rd at Clemens Rd. Investigation revealed that a BMW made a left turn in front of another vehicle causing the crash. In all 3 vehicles were involved. A 16yo male was cited. One person was transported to UHSJMC with minor injuries.
Vehicle into Tree
On 6/5/22 at approx. 11:30PM officers responded to a report of a vehicle into a tree on I90 W/B in the area of Columbia Rd. A witness stated that the male driver left the vehicle and was walking toward Dave and Busters. The male was located in the area and detained. The 37yo Parma male was transported by Westlake Fire to the hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. The man appeared to be impaired and suspected crack cocaine was located. Charges of OVI and felony drug law violations are expected once lab results are obtained.
Beware Police Imposters
On 6/6/22 WPD received several complaints about citizens receiving calls that purported to be from a Westlake Police Officer. In each, the caller told the person that they had legal troubles such as outstanding warrants for missing a court date. Several people just hung up. One reported that the officer demanded $8000 in bitcoin to postpone the arrest warrant. A report was generated. ***WPD reminds all that no law enforcement or other government agency will call you to demand crypto currency or gift cards to pay for outstanding debts, fines, warrants or taxes. If you receive an unexpected phone call or electronic message and have questions, look up a contact independently of the number provided to confirm the information. If anyone tells you to read a gift card PIN number or take a picture of it to pay for ANYTHING – IT IS A SCAM. If you receive a call from someone who says they are from WPD feel free to call our dispatch center at 440-871-3311 to confirm it is legitimate call.***
Kid’s Wallet Swiped
On 6/6/22 at about 3:15PM an officer responded to the Get Go Gas Station at Columbia and Center Ridge for a theft. A resident reported that her 14yo son had been in the store earlier and accidently left his duct tape wallet on the counter while he was pouring a drink for himself. The juvenile’s wallet contained the $40 that he had just earned cutting neighborhood lawns. When he went to retrieve the wallet a few minutes later, it was gone. A surveillance video review showed an unscrupulous thief had taken the quick opportunity to snatch the kid’s wallet and exit the store. Investigators were able to track the vehicle the perpetrator used to pull out of the parking lot. A 29yo Cleveland female was identified as the suspect. Warrants for theft are being sought through Rocky River Municipal Court.
Drive-Thru Collision at Chick-Fil-A
On 6/6/22 at approx. 8:30PM officers responded to Chick-Fil-A for a reported collision in the drive through line. A caller let WPD know that a Ford Truck had struck her vehicle while they were waiting for food. In speaking with the driver of the truck, officers noted that he appeared intoxicated, was slurring his speech and was generally confused. The 60yo Westlake resident was field tested and arrested for OVI. His vehicle was impounded and towed from the drive through line. At the WPD jail, the driver refused a breath test. He was charged with OVI and refusing a chemical test. This was his 5th OVI charge.
Aggressive Bank Customers
On 06/11/2022, at 1157 hrs, a local bank teller called Bay Village police to report two very aggressive customers in the business who were demanding the bank wire funds from their account in the form of a cashier’s check. The transaction could not be completed at that time, and the teller gave them a time when it could be done. One of the customers was unhappy with this, and became irate by yelling at the teller. They were gone from the bank when police arrived. The customers were contacted by phone and advised of the complaint.
