WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Bay Village Officer of the Year

Congrats to Det. Sgt. Jay Elish who was voted 2022 Bay Village Officer of the Year. This prestigious award was voted on by his fellow officers.

Welcome, Officers

Welcome and Congratulations to the newest Westlake Police Officers!

Anthony Papa and Mitch Lorig were both sworn in last month as officers for the WPD. Anthony, who grew up in Westlake, comes to the force with experience as a Sergeant at Willoughby Hills PD while Mitch was a veteran officer in North Ridgeville. After extensive interviews, physical fitness and background checks, we are proud to welcome both men to the team.

Thank You Officers!

Happy National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to our amazing Bay Village Police Department.

The Community Services team and local seniors brought some homemade cookies to our hardworking police department as a way of saying thank you for serving the Bay Village community!

Thank you to Officer Ian Moore for accepting the donation and spending some time visiting with the women.

Hotel Fight in Westlake

On 12/31/22 at about 2:30PM WPD received a 911 call reporting a fight in progress in one of the rooms of the Double Tree Hotel on Crocker Rd. The complainant added that a female had locked a male out of the room and he was kicking at the door. They had been arguing all day. Officers arrived to find a male yelling at the door of a hotel room with a beer in his hand. The 48yo Montgomery, Illinois male had superficial cuts on his face which he explained happened when he fell down the stairs. The female half of the fight was interviewed. She reported being beaten and choked by the male boyfriend. Her story was corroborated with evidence. The man was arrested and charged with felonious assault. The female was checked out by paramedics but declined to be transported to a hospital.

Wanted in Brazen Theft

On 1/4/23 at approx. 4:30PM a representative of the Stonehouse Grill on Center Ridge Rd called WPD to report a theft. An unknown female entered the open business on January 2nd and eventually wandered to a locked office. She forced her way into the office and stole cash from the desk. She left soon after with an undisclosed amount of tip money. The suspect is described as a heavier set white female with light brown hair. She was wearing a brown coat and scarf and a black mask when committing the crime. Photos of the suspect are attached. If anyone recognizes the female they are asked to call the WPD at 440-871-3311 with her identity or any additional information. You may remain anonymous.

Asleep at the Wheel

On 1/5/23 at approx. 2:30AM an officer on patrol found a vehicle stopped at a green light at Columbia and Detroit Rds. Upon investigation, the operator was found to be passed out behind the wheel with their foot on the brake. The officers had to knock on the door windows to wake up the 43yo Westlake male. He was field tested and arrested for OVI. The operator tested double the legal limit at the Westlake Jail. He was cited with OVI and released to a sober person.

Catalytic Converter Thefts

On 12/24/22 at about 11AM a resident of Crossings Pkwy reported that sometime during the overnight hours the catalytic converter was stolen off of her Ford Escape. The SUV had been parked in the lot of the apartment/condo complex.

On 12/28/22 a resident of East Crossings also reported that a catalytic converter had been taken off of his Mitsubishi in the same time frame. Theft reports were generated. There is no suspect information at this time.

Handgun Threat Reported, Firearm Found

On 12/25/22 at approx. 9:30AM WPD received a call from a male reporting that his girlfriend had taken his truck and was currently crashing it into a pole after they had a dispute. While officers were responding WPD received an additional call from an independent witness who saw a male with a handgun threatening a female in a pickup truck while they yelled at each other. Officers arrived and ordered both subjects to separate while they took control of the situation. The truck had obviously struck a utility pole on Westown Bl. Statements were collected from the boyfriend/girlfriend and a firearm was located. Both subjects admitted to being in an argument which became physical. Charges for assault and menacing are pending review of the city prosecutor.

Reckless Driving Leads to Arrest

On 12/26/22 at approx. 5:45PM a Sgt on patrol observed a Chevy driving recklessly in the parking lot of the Promenade at Crocker and Detroit Rds. The driver was stopped and found to have an entered traffic warrant from North Olmsted PD. The 18yo Lakewood resident was arrested on the warrant and turned over to NOPD.

Rollover on I-90

On 12/27/22 at about 2:15PM officers responded to a report of a vehicle “flipped over” on I90 E/B just west of Columbia Rd. Luckily no one was injured when a pickup truck left the roadway and struck the concrete median causing it to overturn. The roadway was closed for a time when the crash was cleaned up. The 59yo Parma Hts male driver was cited with failure to control.

Man Down

On 12/27/22 at approx. 6PM officers were called to the area of Westchester Parkway and Cahoon for a male reportedly laying on the ground. A 52yo Bay Village male was found laying on the tree lawn of a residence in the area. He appeared to be highly intoxicated and declined going to the hospital for any treatment. The man was arrested for Disorderly Conduct while Intoxicated and was transported to the Westlake Jail for his safety. He was later released to a responsible person.

How a Scam Works

Scam Alert reminder from Westlake Police: A resident was contacted by “Officer McKenna” advising her son Mike had been in a car accident, has a broken nose, and needs her help. A second male got on the phone and said “Mom, I need your help.” He identified himself as Mike.

Our complainant has an adult grandson, “Mike”. Officer McKenna would not identify with a particular PD when asked but did give a phone number (440) 872-57XX. When called, it rings, then gives a message that the caller will not answer, then disconnects.

She caught on quickly and was not victimized.

Talk to your loved ones and neighbors. DO NOT take unexpected messages at face value. Check on the information. These scams pop up regularly.

“If you can Spot a Scam You Can Stop a Scam.”

Fatality in Lake Road Crash

On 12/30/2022, at 2007 hrs, Bay Village Officers responded to a two car motor vehicle crash in the area of Lake Rd. and Humiston. Upon arrival, officers determined a vehicle traveling eastbound on Lake Rd, struck a vehicle and lost control before striking a telephone pole. The Bay Village Fire Department was called to the scene and both drivers, an 82-yoa female, and a 40-yoa male, were transported to local hospitals. The 82-yoa female did not suffer any injuries and was transported for observation. The 40-yoa male was transported and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the scene to handle the accident investigation. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Road Rage

On 12/26/2022, at 1807 hrs, a motorist reported an incident of road rage. The incident occurred on Wolf Rd. between Clague and Cahoon, and escalated when both drivers were stopped at the red light on Wolf Rd. and Cahoon. The driver of the other vehicle exited his vehicle and shattered one of the complainant’s windows before fleeing the area. Police are investigating.

‘Lost’ Driver Arrested tp OVI

On 12/28/2022, at 0117 hrs, a BVPD officer observed a vehicle slow down and stop on Lake Rd. near Pinewood for an extended period of time. The officer pulled in behind the vehicle and approached the driver. While speaking with the female driver, who claimed she was looking for directions to Strongsville, the officer suspected the driver had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were offered to the female, but refused. The female was subsequently arrested for OVI. The 41-yoa Strongsville resident will face charges at RRMC.

Impaired Driver Reported

On 12/30/2022, at 1300 hrs, a motorist called BVPD to report a possible impaired driver headed westbound on Lake Rd. at Porter Creek. The caller indicated the vehicle all over the road and had crossed the center line several times. A BVPD officer caught up with vehicle and stopped it on Lake Rd. near Bradley Rd. After speaking with the 44-yoa 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 Akron resident will face charges at RRMC.

OVI

On 12/30/2022, at 1929 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Pinewood for a traffic violation. After speaking with the 63-yoa 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 Lakewood resident will face charges at RRMC.

Happy New Year!

On 01/01/2023, at 0006 hrs, a resident in the 400 block of Hurst reported someone was discharging fireworks in the area. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the source.

On 01/01/2023, at 0025 hrs, an Ashton Lane resident reported fireworks being discharged in the area. Officers responded and located the individuals responsible on Bradley Rd. They were advised of the complaint and stopped for the night.

On 01/01/2023, at 0101 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Huntington Woods Parkway for a traffic violation. After speaking with the 39-yoa 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 Avon Lake resident will face charges at RRMC.

On 01/01/2023, at 2120 hrs, a resident in the 500 block of Bradley reported receiving a threatening phone call from an unknown party. A report was filed and police are investigating.