The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Semi Overturns on I-90
On 11/10/23 at about 4PM officers responded to the report of a semi-truck crash on the I90 E/B entrance ramp from Crocker Rd. Officers found that the trailer of the truck had actually overturned and struck the concrete median barrier. Investigation revealed that the truck was entering the highway when the load in the trailer shifted causing the collision with the median. The ramp was closed for more than 3 hours while crews unloaded the truck and cleaned up the damaged vehicle. The driver was cited with having a loose load.
Disgruntled Patient Trips Fire Alarm
On 11/10/23 at approx. 4:15PM, WPD received a call from University Hospitals at Clague and Detroit Rds reporting that a disgruntled patient had pulled the fire alarm and then left the scene. Westlake Fire and Police Departments responded while the building was evacuated. After confirming that there was no actual emergency, officers investigated the incident. It was learned that the parent of a juvenile patient became enraged when she learned that the health care facility could not see her daughter because of how late they arrived for their appointment. After having “choice words” for the staff, the suspect pulled the fire alarm when walking out of the office. Witness statements were obtained. Inducing panic charges are pending for a 38yo Cleveland female.
OVI Driver Rams Fire Truck
On 11/12/23 at about 12:30AM officers responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash on I90 E/B in the area of Columbia Rd. Investigation revealed that the operator of a Honda Civic had lost control and struck the center concrete median. Officers noted that the road conditions were dry and there was no adverse weather causing the driver to veer across multiple lanes of traffic before striking the median. The 31yo Cleveland male said he had no idea what happened to cause the crash. While officers were investigating the crash and a tow truck was enroute, the Westlake Fire Department blocked off multiple lanes of the interstate with a fire truck. The driver of the Honda appeared intoxicated and was field tested. He was soon arrested for OVI. At the Westlake Jail, the driver submitted to a breath test and was found to be almost 2x the legal limit. He was cited with OVI, failure to control and driving with a prohibited breath alcohol content.
While the original crash was being investigated, and despite lots of red, blue and white flashing lights and first responder vehicles protecting the scene, another vehicle plowed through the crash area. A Jeep Patriot did not slow down or yield to all the flashing lights and proceeded to strike the passenger side of the large fire truck which was protecting the scene.
Luckily no persons on the highway were injured as the Jeep bounced off the fire truck, across the lanes of traffic and into the adjacent grass covered ditch. The driver, a 21yo Lorain resident, was extricated from his vehicle by fire personnel. Officers noted that he had slurred speech and also appeared intoxicated. He was transported to the hospital and was also charged with OVI and failure to control. The man refused to submit to a test to determine his alcohol level therefore his license was placed under an immediate suspension. The fire truck had to be taken out of service.
77 Year Old Scammed
On 11/14/23 at approx. 4:30PM, a citizen responded to the WPD to report being the victim of a scam. The 77yo had received an unexpected email indicating that she was the winner of a 6 million dollar prize in a sweepstakes. The victim indicated that “not long” before this email, she had received a call from a telemarketer trying to sell magazine subscriptions. While she declined buying a subscription, the telemarketer had mentioned being entered into a sweepstakes. Of course, the victim now had to pay for taxes and fees to collect all the winnings. The scammers contacted our victim over a couple of months and talked her into providing access to various accounts as well as gift cards. She paid several thousand dollars before realizing this was a scam.
Man Beat Up
On 11/2/23 at approx. 2PM WPD received a call reporting that a man, who looked to be in his 60’s, had been “beat up” by another male that had since left Bassett Rd in a vehicle. The caller said that the victim was laying face down on the lawn and was motionless. Officers arrived to find several neighbors attempting to help the 67 year old who appeared to just be regaining consciousness. The man had visible injuries to his face and head. Witnesses explained that they saw a much younger man physically assaulting the older male in his front yard. The 67yo was transported to UH St. John Medical Center. The younger male, a 23yo Cleveland resident, called WPD to report the incident and later came to the station to relay his side of the events. Investigation revealed that the homeowner believed that the younger male was driving too fast on the roadway and used a lawn rake to try to slow the vehicle. The younger male stopped his car and confronted the older man when the physical assault ensued. The 23yo took the homeowner’s cell phone when he tried to use it to snap a photo of his assailant. The cell phone was recovered from the young man at the station. The 23yo was taken into custody and charged with felony aggravated robbery, felonious assault and disrupting public service. Charges for misdemeanor vehicular vandalism are pending at Rocky River Municipal Court.
“Moon Bars Magic Mushrooms” 3x Legal Limit
On 11/4/23 at about 11:50PM, WPD received a call from a concerned citizen reporting a reckless driver on I90 in the area of Crocker Rd. Officers caught up with the described vehicle as it exited at Crocker and noted that it had a license plate that expired in 2022. Upon stopping the car, the patrol team noted that the inside was littered with numerous empty cases of beer. The 36yo Vermilion man appeared intoxicated and could not answer simple questions. He could not even articulate his home address. The driver was field tested and arrested for OVI. While inventorying the car prior to towing it, the officers found a loaded .40 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat. It was also noted that a bag labeled “Moon Bars Magic Mushrooms” was recovered. At the WPD jail, the driver’s breath test showed he was 3x the legal limit of alcohol. He was charged with OVI, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of drugs and traffic charges.
Oops, Not a Bus Stop!
On 11/9/23 at about 6PM officers responded to the McDonalds on Detroit Rd west of Crocker Rd after receiving reports of a man yelling at other customers inside the restaurant. The man had refused to leave after being evicted by the employees. Officers found the man outside the establishment. They noted that he was standing underneath a no parking sign on the street when approached. When questioned, the 69yo Niles, OH resident said he was just waiting for a bus. Believing that he was at a bus stop, the man pointed to the no parking sign. The officers noted signs of impairment and placed him under arrest for disorderly conduct while being intoxicated. An open bottle of vodka was located as well. The male was transported to the Westlake Jail to await a sober person to take responsibility for him.
Fraud
On 11/15/2023, at 1810 hrs, a resident in the 26000 block of Osborn Rd. reported he had been the victim of a fraud. Someone had opened up a Dominion Energy account using his personal information for an address in Cleveland. The balance was for over $500. Police are investigating.
Car v Pole
On 11/18/2023, at 0932 hrs, BVPD officers were dispatched to the intersection of Columbia Rd. and Juneway for a single car traffic crash into a pole. Responding officers spoke with the female driver who was being treated for her injuries by paramedics. After speaking with her, officers suspected she had been drinking. Field sobriety tests were administered, and as a result, the driver was charged with OVI. The 56-yoa Elyria resident was transported to the hospital for treatment and later turned herself in to BVPD for booking. She will face charges at RRMC.
School Bus Scofflaw
On 11/07/2023, at 1414 hrs, a Bay Village School District Bus Driver reported that someone had passed her bus while she was discharging students on Wolf Rd. near Vineland. After a brief investigation and reviewing the cameras on the bus, police were able to identify the juvenile male driver. The Lakewood resident was cited for the violation and will face charges at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.
OVI
On 11/08/2023, at 0157 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Kenmore 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 34-yoa Virginia resident will face charges at RRMC.
Identity Fraud
On 11/09/2023, at 1600 hrs, a resident in the 23000 block of Russell Rd. reported she had been the victim of Identity Fraud. Someone had used her personal information to apply for a loan. Police are investigating.
OVI
On 11/11/2023, at 2122 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Lake Rd. near Humiston 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 26-yoa Cleveland resident will face charges at RRMC.
Suspended License
On 11/11/2023, at 1554 hrs, a motorist called in a possible OVI north bound on Bradley at the railroad tracks. Officers located the vehicle on Wolf Rd. near Cahoon and stopped it. After speaking with the driver, no signs of impairment were detected. However, it was discovered the driver had a suspended drivers license and had fictitious license plates on the vehicle. He was issued citations for the offenses and his vehicle was impounded. During the inventory of the vehicle prior to the tow officers located suspected drugs. These items were seized and sent to the lab for testing. Further charges are possible.
OVI
On 11/12/2023, at 0044 hrs, a BVPD officer stopped a vehicle on Wolf Rd. near Upland 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 22-yoa Campbell, Ohio, resident will face charges at RRMC.
