WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Suicide by Cop Attempted

On 10/7/25 at approx. 3:50PM, WPD received a 911 call from a man who indicated he needed police response. The resident explained that he felt suicidal and wanted to use a knife to end his life. He wished for the police to come to him as he admitted he was too scared to end his own life.

Officers arrived in the area to find the man waiting for them behind some bushes of the residential neighborhood. Using police cruisers at a distance as a barrier between the officers and the subject, the officers afforded themselves time and space to attempt to safely talk to the man.

The distressed male did not listen to the officers but used his hand in a coat pocket to mimic as if he was pointing a firearm at the police. When that did not illicit the response he verbalized he was looking for, the man pulled out a knife with a 4 and ½ inch blade and put it to his own throat. He told the investigators that he had “the right” to die.

The officers continued to negotiate and explain that they would get him the help he needed while they prepared contingencies to a lethal encounter.

After the subject began to run toward the officers despite being told to lay down, a WPD officer deployed 1 round from a 40MM less than lethal firearm. The foam baton round struck the man in the leg. Only then did he lay on the ground and throw the knife away.

He was taken into custody without further incident. He admitted that he was hoping that the officers would shoot him. Westlake Fire Paramedics were summoned to the scene and transported the man to the hospital for treatment. It appeared he only suffered minor bruising to his leg.

The incident will be reviewed by the Westlake Law Department for possible charges which may include inducing panic and/or disorderly conduct. The officers on scene have been  recommended for commendation for saving this man’s life.

Let’s Prevent Tragedy!

With the tragic death of an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper just trying to help out a disabled vehicle on Thurs, this is a good time to remind everyone that these deaths and injuries are preventable. Slow down and move over for roadside workers. Put the phone down. Limit other distractions. Do not drive while impaired. These collisions should not happen.

Funny Money

On 10/4/25 at approx. 9:45PM, officers were dispatched to the Sunoco Gas Station on Detroit Rd after the clerk there reported that a man passed fake US currency to pay for a transaction. The suspect rode off on a bicycle after being confronted by the clerk. Officers located the described man riding with a head lamp near Detroit and Mendelssohn. He explained that he had just been paid with the bills by his “boss” for a painting job in the area but could not describe where this job had been nor who his boss was. Additional fake currency was found on the 49yo who listed an Avon Lake residence. The suspect was arrested and charged with counterfeiting.

Cocaine

On 10/5/25 at about 10:30PM, officers stopped a vehicle on Detroit in the 30000 block. The driver was found to have a suspended license and a warrant out of Portage County for possession of cocaine. The man was arrested and later turned over to Portage County Deputies.

Car Seller Swindled

On 10/7/25 at about 1:45AM, a man responded to the WPD station to report a fraud. He had recently listed a Nissan Murano for sale on Facebook Marketplace. A person messaged the victim about purchasing the vehicle. They even met up in person in Chesterland, OH where a price was negotiated. The suspect said that he used a payment application to pay the seller and showed a screen shot of the payment as proof. Thinking that the payment was complete, the seller left the vehicle with its new owner. Later, the victim realized that the screen shot was not real. No actual funds had been transferred. The victim was not able to re-contact the buyer. Officers also attempted to call the man but his phone was now disconnected. The vehicle was entered into police databases as being stolen. Theft warrants are being sought for the suspect.

Extreme Weaving

On 10/7/25 at approx. 9:45PM, officers on patrol noticed a vehicle on I90 W/B due to its extreme weaving. At one point the car drifted so far away from the lane of travel that it almost struck the median wall before drifting back to the roadway. The driver was stopped just into Avon. Upon contact with the driver, the investigators noted signs of impairment. The man said he did not have a license with him and he refused to tell the officers who he was. He was placed under arrest for failing to identify as well as OVI. A vehicle inventory revealed that the man was also in possession of a tied off baggie of Xanax bars. Although the man claimed to have a prescription for the controlled substance, he could not produce it. The vehicle was towed from the highway and the 37yo North Ridgeville man was transported to the Westlake Jail for processing. He refused a chemical test therefore another license suspension was levied against the man who already was suspended due to a prior infraction. This was his 3 rd OVI arrest since 2023. The driver was charged with OVI, refusing a chemical test after a prior OVI conviction, possession of drugs, failure to disclose identifying information, driving under suspension and failure to drive in marked lanes. He was later released to a sober relative.

Concealed Weapon

On 10/10/25 at approx. 10:30PM, officers stopped a vehicle on First St near Columbia Rd for equipment violations. The 20yo operator said he only had a temporary permit but identified himself verbally with a social security number (SSN). The reports note that the driver gave a 10 number SSN which, along with signs of drug use, prompted some additional investigation. A loaded Glock handgun was found under the driver’s seat. The Middleburg Hts man admitted it was his and he placed it there when being stopped by the police. The driver was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and improper handling of a firearm.

Habitual Alcoholic

On 10/13/25 at approx. 2:45PM, an officer discovered that the registered owner of a vehicle operating on Detroit Rd had a license suspension for being a habitual alcoholic as well as a court suspension for a major offense. It appeared that the owner was actually driving the SUV which was stopped on Detroit at Columbia. The owner was driving but explained that he believed he had operating privileges from court. He did not have the proof and it could not be confirmed. Either way, the man’s breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage and he had an open container of Truly Fruit Punch hard seltzer in his door cup holder. The 44yo Rocky River resident was field tested and arrested for OVI. He refused a breath test and was therefore cited with refusing a chemical test after a prior OVI conviction, OVI, driving under suspension and failure to wear a seatbelt. The OVI was a felony as the man already had 3 OVI convictions in the last 1 and ½ years.

Stolen Camaro

On 10/14/25 at about 8:45AM, a citizen reported that their Camaro had been stolen from a residential driveway during the overnight hours. Unfortunately, the victim had accidentally left the keys inside the unlocked vehicle. A stolen auto report was taken and the car was entered into police databases. Later that morning, the WPD Detectives tracked the stolen car to W.96th in Cleveland. It was found unoccupied on the street. It was recovered and evidence was collected for lab analysis. It was given back to the owner with only minor damage.

Felony Violations

On 10/15/25 at approx. 1:30AM, officers were checking the parking lot of the Wyndham Garden Inn on Crocker when they saw an occupied vehicle. They investigated and found that the man in the car was wanted for a felony probation violation after a prior conviction of having dangerous drugs. The 49yo male who listed an address in Muncie, IN, was wanted by a Sheriff Dept in Noblesville, IN. The woman in the car was also wanted by the same Indiana agency for a drug related charge. The Indiana Sheriff Dept indicated that they would come to Ohio to pick up the suspects so both were transported to the county jail to await extradition.

5th OVI!

On 10/16/25 at about 8PM, WPD received a call from an employee of a bar in the 27000 block of Center Ridge Rd. They witnessed an intoxicated man yell at patrons of the establishment before entering his vehicle, striking another car in the parking lot, and leaving the scene onto Center Ridge. WPD officers caught up with the described sedan in the area of Westwood and Canterbury. They tried to stop the driver who continued weaving down the road despite the cruiser’s lights and sirens. The driver sped to his home on Rose Rd and pulled into his driveway. The officers ordered the man to exit the vehicle where he was taken into custody. 67yo Westlake man was charged with his 5th OVI as well as refusing a breath test, hit-skip on private property, failure to control and fleeing.

Scammed

On Sept. 30 at 12:35 pm, a resident responded to BVPD to file a theft report. The resident received a text message advertising a part time job. The male believed he was hired by a company to review products. The “company” advised him he had to deposit money into Bitcoin in order to give the reviews on the products. The resident realized soon after the request of deposits increased, he was being scammed. The Resident is currently out $1,300 dollars. Police are investigating.

Intoxicated Male

On Oct. 2 at 6:58 pm, BVPD received a call to assist BVFD to a home on Parkside Dr. The complaint being an intoxicated male. BVPD & BVFD arrived and the male was transported with no incident.

Suspended License

On Oct. 3 at 2:34 pm, a BVPD unit observed a traffic violation near Elmwood/Wolf Rd. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, it was discovered they had a suspended license. The vehicle was towed and a citation was issued. The 42-year-old, Elyria resident was issued a citation for turning at intersections and driving under suspension. She will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Child Endangerment

On Oct. 3 at 4:18 pm, a BVPD unit observed a vehicle with the registered owner showing a warrant for child endangerment. BVPD conducted a traffic stop and the female was detained. The warrants were confirmed by Brooklyn PD. The female was turned over to Brooklyn PD. The driver was an Instacart driver and was making a local delivery. BVPD completed her delivery.

Passionate about Video Games

On Oct. 3 at 5:30 pm, an anonymous resident contacted BVPD to report a possible domestic near Knickerbocker/Douglas. The caller stated they heard a male yelling profanities and “get off of me”. BVPD responded and spoke with the resident at the house. Upon speaking with the resident, he advised he was playing video games passionately.

Protection Order Violation

On Oct. 4 at 5:41 pm, a traffic violation was observed near Columbia and the railroad tracks. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Officers discovered the operator was protected by an active protection order. The male passenger’s information was run and matched the active protection order. The male was placed under arrest and conveyed back to BVPD jail to be booked and held to see a judge. The driver was issued a citation for expired registration. The 38-year-old Mentor resident was charged with a protection order violation. He will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Attempted Break-in

On Oct. 5 at 5:47am, an Elmwood Road resident called BVPD to report that someone had attempted to enter his vehicle. The male resident reported he was awoken by his dog barking at something outside. He looked outside and saw a male in a black hoodie in his driveway. After being spotted, the suspect male fled the scene in a black Mercedes. Police checked the area, but the suspect vehicle was not located.

Weapons Violation

On Oct. 8 at 1:13pm, Bay Village Police were on patrol in the area of Columbia Road and Eaton Way when they stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation. Police spoke with the female operator, a 31-year-old Lorain resident, who was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Further, while speaking with the female occupant, a 24-year-old Lorain resident, police discovered she had a loaded handgun in her purse. The operator was cited for the infraction, and the occupant was charged with a weapons law violation. The passenger is facing charges at Rocky River Municipal Court.

Stolen Vehicle Spotted

On Oct. 12 at 2:39pm, a male called BVPD to report his vehicle was stolen in Cleveland and he was concerned because he had identifying information inside of the vehicle. BVPD provided special attention to his home while Flock Cameras were used to find the vehicle’s latest location when it passed a camera in Maple Heights.

New Driver

On Oct. 12 at 2:54pm, BVPD were dispatched to the area of Wolf Road and Dover Center Road on report of a possibly intoxicated driver. The complainant reported the vehicle was driving recklessly through the area. Police responded to the area and found the car parked in the Bay Village Middle School Parking lot. Police investigated and found the operator was a new driver who was practicing with a valid operator. The valid operator took over for the new driver and they were sent on their way.

Escaped Shoplifters

On Oct. 12 at 6:14pm, Bay Village Police were contacted by employees of Walgreens who reported 3 females, and a male had just left the store without paying for a large amount of merchandise. They were last seen driving away in a gray Kia with an obstructed license plate. Police checked the area but could not find the suspect vehicle. Bay Village Detectives are investigating.