WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Murder for Hire?

On 10/13/22 at about 10:45PM an employee of a business on Canterbury Rd called Westlake Police to report receiving some suspicious voice mails. The complainant was alarmed because in the messages a male caller talked about putting a “five grand hit” on another person. It sounded like the caller was trying to set up a murder for hire. Detectives investigated and discovered the caller actually misdialed a real person’s phone number when he accidently left the incriminating messages at the Westlake company. The man was identified and located on 10/14. The 58yo Cleveland resident admitted to making the calls and threatening his biological adult son. He was arrested. The victim’s son was contacted and declined to seek any protections due to the threats. The suspect blamed his poor judgement on an argument he had recently with his son and alcohol. The father was charged with felony complicity to commit murder. He had his initial arraignment in Rocky River Municipal Court where a $500,000 cash or surety bond was set. The suspect was transported to the Cuyahoga County Jail.

Wrong Way on I-90

On 10/16/22 at approx. 3:45AM an officer observed a vehicle facing the wrong way on I90 W/B west of Crocker Rd. The female operator was still behind the wheel when the officer approached. She declined an ambulance despite the fact that she had struck a guard rail causing her air bags to deploy. The officer summoned EMS anyway due to her visible minor injuries. Investigation revealed that the operator had allowed her vehicle to drift off the roadway onto the berm and into the guard rail. The 22yo Lakewood resident said that she was headed from Middleburg Hts to Bedford Hts so it did not make sense that she ended up by Crocker Rd. She also appeared to be intoxicated. After being checked out by the Westlake Fire Dept, the female was field tested and arrested for OVI. At the Westlake Jail the driver submitted to a breath test which showed her to be over the legal limit. She was cited with failure to control, OVI and prohibited breath alcohol content. She was later released to a sober relative.

Defrauded for $700!

On 10/17/22 at about 5:30PM a citizen came to WPD to report a fraud. He had received a phone call from a person purporting to be from AT&T Wireless. The scammer indicated that AT&T was working with Target to provide customers with a “deal” in which they would receive cable TV and a home phone for a very low price. Of course to get the deal the lucky customer would have to pay with Target Gift cards. After much back and forth when the fraudster promised funds would be refunded, the victim was out more than $700. Detectives are following up with the phone number used and recommended that the victim file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) to try to help others avoid being scammed.

Car Found, Credit Cards Used

On 10/7/22 at approx. 11:30AM a resident on Dellwood called to report that a Nissan SUV was missing from their driveway. An officer documented in the theft report that the victims were not sure where the keys had been during the overnight hours when the vehicle went missing. Credit cards that had been in the vehicle when taken had already been used at several stores. Later that evening the vehicle was recovered unoccupied at an apartment complex on E.30th St in Cleveland. Evidence was collected from the vehicle.

Swerved to Avoid Squirrel

On 10/7/22 at approx. 1:15PM officers responded to a call that a vehicle was flipped over on King James Parkway. When officers arrived the driver of the overturned Acura was out of the car. The Acura had struck a parked landscaping vehicle. The driver indicated that he had swerved to avoid striking a squirrel which unfortunately had caused the collision. The 34yo Sheffield Lake resident was cited with failure to control. The man was transported to UH ST. John Medical Center with possible injuries.

Second Rollover

On 10/8/22 at about 10PM officers responded to a report of a traffic crash on Cedarwood Dr. The 1st officer to arrive discovered that the only vehicle involved, a Chevy SUV, had rolled over. The driver was already out of the vehicle and had only minor injuries. The 28yo Oak Park, MI resident declined medical treatment but did appear to be intoxicated. Officers initiated field sobriety tests and arrested the driver for OVI. She submitted a breath sample and was found to be 3 times over the legal limit. The female was charged with OVI and failure to control her vehicle. She was later released to a sober person.

Theft Suspect Arrested

On 10/11/22 at about 8AM a business owner in the 800 block of Canterbury called WPD to report a theft. During the overnight hours a lock on a landscaping trailer had been cut off and several backpack leaf blowers were stolen. The owner had already found what he believed to be one of his stolen leaf blowers, listed for sale on the “Offer Up” application. Detectives contacted the seller on the application and offered to purchase the landscaping machine. The suspect met with detectives pretending to be buyers and sold the leaf blower for $400. It was confirmed that the item was the one missing from the Westlake business. The 34yo Cleveland resident was identified. Investigation revealed that the man had numerous pieces of landscaping equipment all of which were suspected to be stolen and all of which were recovered. Investigators are tracking down victims of the thefts and expect to file theft charges soon.

Burglar Caught (Quickly)

On 10/7 at about 7:42pm WPD received a call from an alarm company indicating that there were multiple break in alarms at a residence on Walden Dr. Officers arrived within minutes and discovered that the rear sliding door had been smashed out. Several officers checked the unoccupied home and confirmed that the suspect was already gone. It appeared that the burglar made off with jewelry. WPD patrol officers and detectives investigated the scene and collected evidence. In LESS THAN 7 HOURS a 70yo Cleveland male was in custody for the residential burglary.

A WPD detective remembered a suspect who was arrested by WPD in 2005 after committing a burglary in a very similar fashion. Using available technology, detectives confirmed that the same man was in the area of this burglary. When confronted, the career burglar admitted to the break-in. Jewelry was recovered. The 70yo was charged with F2 burglary and was held in the Westlake Jail. Connections to prior Westlake burglaries as well as break ins in several neighboring communities are being explored. The burglar was given a $500,000 Cash/Surety bond and was transferred to the custody of the Cuyahoga County Jail.

Passed Out, Foot on Brake

On 10/23/2022, at 0313 hrs, a BVPD officer located a vehicle stopped on Lake Rd. near Cahoon. The driver of the vehicle was passed out with his foot on the brake. After waking the driver and speaking with him, officers suspected the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were administered, and as a result, the driver was arrested for OVI. Officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search a loaded handgun was located in the center console. The 28-yoa was additionally charged with Using Weapons While Intoxicated. The Lakewood resident will face charges at RRMC.

Operating a Vehicle while Under the Influence

• On 10/23/2022, at 0251 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Porter Creek for a traffic violation. After speaking with the male 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 57-yoa Bay Village resident will face charges at RRMC.
• On 10/22/2022, at 1732 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Pinewood for a traffic violation. After speaking with the female 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 44-yoa Bay Village resident will face charges at RRMC.

Mystery Guest?

On 10/20/2022, at 1248 hrs, a resident in the 29000 block of Wolf Rd. contacted BVPD for assistance at her house. When she arrived home there were several lights on that were off when she left. The doors were all secured and no one was supposed to be at the house. Officers checked the interior but were unable to locate a cause.

Afternoon Delight?

On 10/18/2022, at 1507 hrs, a resident in the 400 block of Huntmere called BVPD to complain about loud music coming from a neighbor’s house. The resident was advised of the complaint and turned the music down.