The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Can You Blame it on My Girlfriend?
On 7/1/22 at about 6:30AM a citizen came to WPD to report that he had been in a traffic collision on I90 E/B in the area of the Lorain County line. The other vehicle had left the scene but a license plate was captured on the citizen’s dash cam. The investigating officer learned from the video that it appeared the complainant and the suspect had been in a bit of a road rage. After entering Westlake, the suspect vehicle moved in front of the complainant on the highway and quickly slammed on his brakes causing the victim to strike the other vehicle from behind. When the officer spoke with the driver who had been operating the suspect SUV, the male denied that a crash had occurred but did admit his license was suspended and he had no insurance. He also politely asked the officer to say in the report that his girlfriend was driving. The officer declined the offer. The city prosecutor is reviewing the case for charges such as hit-skip, driving under suspension, improper lane change and soliciting falsification.
Two Cars, One Driveway
On 7/17/22 a resident on East Churchill Ln reported that 2 cars had been taken from the residential driveway during the overnight hours. Both Lexus vehicles had been accidently left unlocked with the keys inside. They were entered as stolen in police databases.
Weaving & Speeding
On 7/23/22 at approx. 1:30AM officers on patrol noticed a Toyota weaving and speeding on Detroit Rd in the area of Canterbury Rd. The car was stopped after it pulled into the parking lot of Marc’s which was noted to be closed at that hour. The driver claimed that someone had run out in front of his vehicle on the roadway but neither of the officers witnessed it. The 29yo North Olmsted man appeared intoxicated and was field tested. He was arrested for OVI. At the WPD Jail, the driver tested over 2 and 1/2 times the legal limit when he submitted to a breath test.
Westlake Theft Suspect Arrested
On 7/23/22 at about 8AM officers responded to a residence on the 27000 block of Caroline Circle for a reported burglary. The resident there woke up to find that their overhead garage door was open and their vehicle was missing from inside. He also noted that other items had been stolen from inside the residence. Another car, belonging to a seperate household member, had been parked outside overnight. This vehicle had been entered and items including credit cards stolen. Evidence was collected on scene. On 7/27/22 at approx. 11:30PM Cleveland PD called to report that they had stopped the car stolen in this burglary. A male had been arrested by CPD. Westlake detectives have obtained a warrant charging the 42yo man, who last listed an Amherst address, with felony burglary. The male remains in custody at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.
Purse Snatching
On 7/28/22 at approx. 10:30AM WPD officers responded to a report of a purse snatching at Crocker Park. The complainant reported that a male had run by her in one of the garages and grabbed her wristlet purse before running away. Officers converged on the area to search for the described male who reportedly ran north toward Detroit Rd and Westbay Plaza. The suspect was located by perimeter officers within 20 minutes of the crime. The suspect was found hiding under an SUV at a business on Crossings Pkwy. He was taken into custody without further incident. Investigators recovered all of the stolen property along with a steak knife and clothes discarded by the perpetrator who apparently was trying to thwart any clothing description. The 19yo male who listed a Westlake address, was charged with Aggravated Robbery. He awaits arraignment in the Westlake Jail. There were no injuries reported.
Motor Vehicle Thefts
On 7/13/22 a resident on Dellwood Dr reported that their vehicle had been stolen during the overnight hours. The car, parked unlocked in the driveway, had the keys inside when taken. It was later recovered on Linwood Dr in Cleveland. Evidence was recovered.
On 7/14/22 a resident on Rose Rd reported that their Honda Accord was taken from their driveway during the overnight hours. The car had been left unlocked but the owner said that they had all the keys with them still.
On 7/15/22 a resident in the 2000 Block of Bassett Rd reported that their vehicle had been stolen during the overnight hours. The Jeep had been parked in the residential driveway with the keys inside and was taken with a wallet and other items.
On 7/15/22 a resident on Holdens Arbor reported that their vehicle had also been stolen overnight from their driveway. It had been parked with the keys inside. The SUV was entered into police databases as stolen.
On 7/15/22 at approx. 10:30AM a citizen staying on Caroline Cir reported that their vehicle had been entered overnight. The unlocked vehicle had contained 2 handguns when parked. Both were missing when the owner returned to the car in the morning. Both guns were entered into police databases as being stolen.
Drugs, Loaded Gun
On 7/31/22 at approx. 11:30PM a concerned citizen called to report that they were following a possible intoxicated driver from Bay Village. Our officers caught up with the described vehicle on Bay Landing Dr. The male in the drivers’ seat, who did not have a license, claimed that he had just changed seats with the female passenger who had actually been driving. They claimed they had been delivering for door dash. The officers noted indicators of drug use in the vehicle and investigated further. A loaded handgun along with suspected marijuana, a scale and other paraphernalia were located in the car. The gun had been reported as being stolen in Maple Hts. A 23yo Cleveland resident was arrested and charged with felony receiving stolen property.
Hit-Skip
On 8/3/22 at about 2:30PM WPD received a call about a hit-skip in the area of Walter and Westwood. The operator of the struck vehicle followed the suspect vehicle until it stopped on Maple Ridge. Officers investigated and found that the suspect driver, who had struck the other car from behind, appeared intoxicated. He lost his balance when getting out of the vehicle and almost fell. The 39yo North Olmsted resident was very confused and had to be assisted just to walk to the police car. He was arrested for OVI and hit-skip. He refused a breath test and was also charged with driving under suspension.
Hospital Getaway
On 8/5/22 at approx. 3PM WPD received a call that a male wearing a hospital gown was seen climbing out of a basement window at a business on Center Ridge by Porter Rd. The same male then crossed Center Ridge and entered a parked car at Spa West before fleeing south. Officers arrived in the area and learned that the man had eloped from the UH St John Medical Center ER. Westlake and North Olmsted PD officers along with a police K9 tracked the male in the neighborhood and soon received a call from a resident of Porter Rd that the described 42yo was forcibly trying to get into an occupied house. The police tracked the male down to the plaza at Center Ridge and Porter where he was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect had stolen clothes from parked cars in an attempt to cover up his hospital gown. Victims also reported that a large amount of jewelry and change were missing from cars. Officers recovered jewelry and clothes from the suspect. The man, who listed a Cleveland address, is expected to be charged with felony burglary, breaking and entering, and theft.
Van Vandalized
On 07/23/2022, at 2015 hrs, a resident reported that her van had been broken into while parked at Columbia Road Beach. When she returned to her van after visiting the beach, a window was smashed out and her purse was stolen. Police are investigating.
Fraud
On 07/20/2022, at 1005 hrs, a Jefferson Court resident contacted BVPD to report he had been the victim of a fraud. Someone had charged $3,000 to his credit card and $4,000 to his debit/checking card. Police are investigating.
OVI
On 07/23/2022, at 2241 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Wolf Rd. near Saddler for a traffic violation. After speaking with the driver, the officer suspected the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were administered, and as a result, the driver was arrested for OVI. The 65-yoa North Canton resident will face charges at RRMC.
Unruly Juveniles
On 07/18/2022, at 2041 hrs, a resident called to report two males who were acting unruly in the area of Dover Commons. The males were yelling profanities and running in and out of traffic. Officers arrived on scene and located the pair. The 18-yoa (Bay Village resident) and 20-yoa (Lakewood resident) were found to be under the influence of alcohol. They were cited for Underage Consumption of Alcohol and released to a sober adult. They will face charges at RRMC.
Do Not Knock
On 07/19/2022, at 1801 hrs, a resident in the 500 block of Huntmere called to report a solicitor had knocked on her door, and she was on the do not knock registry. Officers responded to the area and located the solicitor. He was advised of the complaint and sent on his way for the evening.
