WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

“Are You OK” Saves Westlake Senior

On 1/23/26 at approx. 11:15AM, Westlake Police dispatch received an alert from the City of Westlake “Are You OK?” computer. This voluntary automated service sets up daily calls to subscribed residents to check on their welfare. If the resident does not answer or cannot press the number randomly dictated by the computer, an alert is received in dispatch. A WPD dispatcher called the resident but did not receive an answer. Officers were immediately dispatched to check on the female homeowner. Upon receiving no answer at the door, the officers spoke with neighbors who had not seen the woman but did have the access codes to get in her garage. Upon checking inside, the woman was found to be on the ground in her living room. Luckily, she was unharmed but could not get herself up. The officers helped her up and spoke with her for a bit to make sure all was OK. The thankful woman did not need additional medical help.

No Headlights Leads to Drug Bust

On 1/24/26 at about 11PM, officers stopped a vehicle with no headlights illuminated on Sperry Dr. Reports note that the driver drove over a curb and into the grass after pulling into a parking lot. The driver, a 25yo Decatur, IN resident, explained that he was driving a rental vehicle and did not realize the headlights were not on. Officers noticed signs of drug use in the vehicle and investigated further. The man eventually admitted he had a loaded firearm as well as cocaine, paraphernalia and US Currency in the vehicle. The driver was not allowed to possess a gun due to prior felony criminal convictions. Over 3g of suspected cocaine along with over $9000 in cash was recovered. The driver was charged with Felony Having Weapons While Under Disability, Possession of drugs, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Blaring Horn, Drunk Driver

On 1/25/26 at about 3AM WPD received a complaint of a pickup truck parked on Donna Dr with its horn constantly sounding loudly. Officers checked the area and saw the snow covered truck parked on the street. It was quiet at that time. At approx. 4:15AM, WPD again received the same complaint about the horn blaring. Officers responded again and, after clearing off windows, a man was found passed out behind the wheel of the parked vehicle. It took almost a minute to wake the man who seemed confused at the interruption to his slumber. The driver thought he was in North Olmsted but did say he was headed toward his mom’s house on Donna Dr. It appeared he was intoxicated. An open container of alcohol fell out of the driver’s door when the man stepped from the GMC. He was arrested for having physical control of a vehicle while being intoxicated. He declined to take any sobriety tests and refused a breath test.

Suspicious Man with Hatchets

On 1/27/26 at just before 11PM, WPD received a call from a concerned citizen who was driving by the area of Clague and Center Ridge when he witnessed a suspicious man. The concerning person was walking behind the businesses in the area, was carrying 2 hatchets in his hands and was yelling on the phone. Officers immediately responded to the area concerned that the suspect was preparing to rob a gas station in the area which they knew closed at 11PM. The suspect was found walking in the area with what did appear to be a hatchet. The man refused to listen to officers’ orders. He had to be forcibly taken into custody and handcuffed. The suspect also spit on an officer during the encounter. A hatchet and a wood handled mallet were recovered from the 27yo North Olmsted man. It was soon learned from North Olmsted PD that the man’s relative had called that agency to report that the suspect had left a North Olmsted residence in an agitated state while threatening to walk to Cleveland to harm his girlfriend. The man was charged with Disorderly Conduct while Intoxicated (DCI) and Felony Harassment by an inmate for spitting on the officers. Additional charges of Failure to Comply, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Resisting Arrest will be recommended to the county grand jury.

Crocker Park Detail

During the evening of 1/31/26 WPD was running a criminal and traffic interdiction detail at Crocker Park. During these details WPD officers flood the area to target criminal activity, illegal firearms and address traffic and noise complaints that come in all too often from those who live, eat, work and visit the shopping center. At about 8PM, officers on American Way noticed a black Jeep with extremely tinted windows and heavy front end damage. The license plate showed that the vehicle was owned by a person whose driver’s license was suspended. As the vehicle turned from American Bl onto Crocker Rd, the officers attempted to stop it. The driver did not pull over but fled N/B on Crocker. After less than a minute, the driver lost control and ran off the roadway into the deep snow. The driver and lone occupant immediately fled on foot with WPD officers in foot pursuit. The suspect fled through the snow, over fences and even traversed a frozen pond. The foot pursuit through the harsh conditions spanned approx. ¼ mile before the officers captured the man in the backyards of an adjacent housing development. The 27yo Cleveland man was taken into custody without further incident. An inventory of the suspect Jeep revealed that the man had left a loaded firearm on the floorboard as well as a large amount of suspected marijuana (over legal personal use) and a scale. The man was not allowed to possess a gun due to his prior felony convictions. The suspect was transported to the Westlake Jail and charged with felony having weapons while under disability and failure to comply. Charges of Trafficking in drugs, resisting arrest, improper handling of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon will be presented to the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury. The driver also had a suspended driver’s license due to being in a crash previously without auto insurance.

More Crocker Park

During the same detail at Crocker Park on 1/31/26, officers on patrol noted a vehicle on Main St at American Bl. Upon running the license plate, they learned that the registered owner had a suspended license and an active warrant out of Brooklyn Hts. PD. Upon stopping the vehicle, officers noted that there was an open container of Lunazul Tequila next to the driver. The 54yo Cleveland man did have a suspended license due to a prior traffic conviction. Investigation revealed that he also was in possession of a loaded firearm. The suspect was not allowed to possess a handgun due to a prior felony conviction of felonious assault. The driver was arrested and charged with Felony Having Weapons While Under Disability along with charges of driving under suspension and possession of an open container in a moving motor vehicle.

Three and a Half Times the Legal Limit

On 2/5/26 at about 2AM, a 911 caller reported a traffic crash in the intersection of Detroit and Columbia Rds. Officers arrived to find 2 vehicles had collided. Investigation, including Westlake traffic camera footage, showed one of the vehicles drove through a red light and caused the collision. In speaking with the female operator of the at fault car, officers detected signs of impairment. The woman had difficulties maintaining her balance and officers had to help her to keep her from falling. She was arrested for OVI after field tests were complete. At the WPD jail, the 38yo North Canton woman tested over 3 and ½ times the legal limit. She was charged with OVI, Driving with a prohibited amount of alcohol and the red light violation. Luckily there were no reported injuries.

Amazon Truck Stuck in Snow

On 1/18/26, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a resident on Bradley Road in Bay Village reported a suspicious box truck parked in a neighbor’s driveway. Officers responded and determined the vehicle belonged to Amazon. The driver had become stuck and was assisted with a private tow.

Panic Alarm

On 1/19/26, at 9:32 a.m., police responded to a panic alarm near the 29000 block of Lake Road. Officers made contact with contractors at the location, who advised the alarm was accidentally activated after utility wires were cut during restoration work.

Suspended License and Weed

On 1/20/26, at 8:21 a.m., an officer conducting traffic enforcement on Ashton Lane stopped a vehicle for speeding. The driver was found to have a suspended license. A search of the vehicle revealed remnants of marijuana. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was cited for driving under suspension and speeding. The 23-year-old Lorain resident will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Running Vehicle Stolen

On 1/24/26, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a resident reported their vehicle stolen after leaving it running while inside Fragapane’s. Vehicle tracking technology, including Flock Safety and OnStar, indicated the vehicle was traveling near the Cleveland and Brooklyn border. Brooklyn Police briefly pursued the vehicle eastbound on I-480 before terminating the pursuit. The vehicle was later tracked to Cleveland’s Second District, where Cleveland Police located it abandoned. BVPD responded and towed the vehicle for processing by evidence technicians. The investigation remains ongoing.

Crisis Hotline

On 1/25/26, at 4:51 a.m., police responded to a report from a crisis hotline regarding a text message indicating possible self-harm. Officers conducted a welfare check at a residence on Lane Drive and found no evidence supporting the claim. Due to limited information, the incident is believed to be a possible false or “swatting” call.

Suspicious Vehicle

On 1/26/26 at 12:27 am, a resident on Huntington Woods Parkway contacted BVPD to report a suspicious vehicle in a neighbor’s driveway. Officers responded and spoke with the occupants. The driver, an Uber operator, advised he had completed a ride and mistakenly drove into what he believed was a driveway, becoming stuck. The driver contacted a friend for assistance, who also drove into the front yard. Both vehicles were assisted out of the yard and left the area without further incident.

Seizure Victim Helped

On 1/26/26 at 6:33 am, BVPD and BVFD responded to a report of a male experiencing a seizure inside a vehicle near Rye Gate/Lake Road. First responders located the vehicle off the roadway. The male was transported to a local hospital.

Felony Warrants

On 1/26/26 at 9:17 am, BVPD conducted a traffic stop on Bassett/Crocker Rd for a listed owner showing felony warrants out of Cuyahoga County Sheriff Department. The female was detained while the warrants were confirmed. BVPD transported the female to county jail.

Swerving Vehicle

On 1/26/26 at 4:51 pm, BVPD was notified by a caller following a vehicle that was swerving and suspected of impaired driving. Officers located the vehicle and observed multiple traffic violations, initiating a stop at Canterbury and Wolf Roads. The vehicle was slow to stop. The driver was suspected of operating under the influence and stated he was en route to pick up his children. He refused to exit the vehicle and became non-compliant. Officers assisted the driver out of the vehicle. He refused field sobriety testing and resisted arrest. The male was transported to the BVPD jail and refused a breath test. He was later released to a sober adult.

The 48-year-old Elyria resident was charged with OVI, OVI refusal, resisting arrest, OVI (multiple offenses within 20 years), driving a weaving course, and lanes of travel violations. He will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Walking on the Frozen Lake

On 1/27/26 at 10:26 am, BVPD was contacted advising two people were walking on the frozen lake near Lake/Columbia and believes it was not safe. BVPD responded and located the two who were juveniles, they were advised about the dangers of being on the lake. Juvenile’s parents were also contacted and advised of the contact with their children.

Lost Juvenile Assisted

On 1/27/26 at 7:20 pm, a resident at Wolf and Columbia Roads contacted BVPD after a juvenile approached him for help while he was clearing snow. Officers located the juvenile, who stated he became lost after exiting an RTA bus at the wrong stop while traveling to a job interview. Due to extreme cold temperatures and a language barrier, the juvenile was transported to BVPD while arrangements were made. Cleveland Police assisted by meeting officers on West 117th Street to transport the juvenile home to the east side of Cleveland. BVPD thanks the resident and Cleveland Police for their assistance in ensuring the juvenile’s safe return.

No License

On 1/28/26 at 10:00 am, BVPD conducted a traffic stop near Clague/Bruce Rd. Upon identifying the driver, it was discovered he didn’t have a valid driver’s license. The male was transported back to BVPD to make arrangements for a ride. The 21-year-old Cleveland resident was charged with turning at intersections and expired operator’s license. He will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Yard Fight

On 1/28/26 at 1:38 pm, a resident contacted BVPD advising there was a physical altercation in the front yard on Lake Rd near Dover and there are about ten individuals in the front yard. BVPD responded and located the subjects. BVPD was advised two contractors had a fight over alleged theft of marijuana. Both declined to pursue a police report. One of the contactors was detained due to having an active warrant through Brunswick. This male was later transported and turned over to Brunswick PD.

Facing Charges

On 1/29/26 at 10:03 am, BVPD conducted a traffic stop near Lake/Lake Forest. The driver had a suspended license and the passenger also held no valid driver’s license. A probable cause search yielded contraband. The driver was arrested and conveyed to BVPD jail to be booked. The passenger was also transported to BVPD to make arrangements for a ride. The 37-year-old Cleveland resident was charged with expired registration, driving under FRA suspension and drug paraphernalia. She was released on a personal bond and will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.

Cocaine Possession

On 1/29/26 at 3:00 pm, BVPD conducted a traffic stop on Bassett Road south of the railroad tracks. The registered owner had an active warrant through Garfield Heights Police. A probable cause search yielded contraband and a firearm. The driver was arrested and transported to BVPD jail, where she was held pending a court appearance. The 37-year-old Lorain resident was charged with possession of cocaine, driving under suspension, and drug paraphernalia. She will be facing charges through Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Refusing to Stop

On 1/30/26 at 9:22 pm, BVPD attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Lake/Humiston. on a vehicle with the listed owner showing active warrants. The vehicle continued driving east bound refusing to stop. The vehicle continued into Rocky River entering the drive of the Normandy complex and continued to the rear of the complex. Rocky River Police assisted, and the driver was taken into custody. The driver was not the registered owner but had a suspended license and active warrants through Bay Village and Cleveland Heights. The female was conveyed back to BVPD jail to be booked and housed. The 24-year-old Cleveland resident was charged with failure to comply with order or signal of P.O, driving under suspension and expired registration. She will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.