The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Loaded Gun, Loaded Driver
On 5/9/26 at about 3AM, officers observed a vehicle weaving and following too close on I90 W/B. The Nissan was stopped in the area of Nagle Rd. The driver, a 35yo Cleveland man, appeared intoxicated. After he admitted that a firearm “may” be in the vehicle, he was told to step out the driver’s door. He admitted to consuming 7 drinks before driving and due to all the circumstances, was field tested by the officers. The man was arrested for OVI.
A loaded Ruger firearm was located in the glove compartment. A lunch box full of suspected marijuana and ecstasy pills was found on the passenger seat. Reports note that all the items were well within reach of the driver while operating the vehicle. The man was transported to jail where he took a breath test. He tested over 1 and ½ times the legal limit. He was charged with OVI, Prohibited breath alcohol content, weaving and felony improper handling of a firearm. Additional charges are pending lab analysis of the recovered drugs.
Fun with Dad’s BMW
On 5/10/26 at around 8:25PM, officers on patrol observed a vehicle operating recklessly at Crocker Park. 2 vehicles traveling together were stopped. A 17yo Avon man was cited with reckless operation and loud muffler. His (actually his parents’) BMW was towed from the scene. The driver had to find a ride home and will have to appear in juvenile court.
Fast Car, Illegal Weapons
On 5/10/26 at approx. 9:30PM, an officer on patrol discovered that the registered owner of a Dodge Challenger on Union St in Crocker Park had an active felony warrant for possession of weapons under disability from Cleveland PD. The vehicle was stopped on Crocker Rd at Detroit. The registered owner was driving and the investigators noted signs of drug use in the vehicle. Investigation revealed that there was a loaded Glock 9mm handgun in the car along with an open container of alcohol. The driver, a 38yo Cleveland man, was arrested. The vehicle was towed from the scene as the passenger did not have a valid license. The driver was charged with Felony weapons violations including another charge of possession of a gun while under disability. Reports indicate that the man had been convicted of drug trafficking in the past.
Guns & Drugs
On 5/16/26 at approx. 3:20AM, officers stopped a vehicle on I90 W/B at Columbia for speeding. The investigators detected signs of drug use in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the female driver and male passenger were in possession of a loaded handgun as well as a suspected marijuana. The man, a 19yo from Lorain, admitted that the gun was his and the driver had no knowledge of it. Being that he was under 21, he was not allowed to possess a handgun. The passenger was arrested and charged with misdemeanor Carrying a Concealed Weapon. The driver was released without charges.
Wrong Way on I-90
On 5/18/26 just before midnight, several callers reported that a black SUV was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-90 in the area of Columbia Rd. WPD officers began to search for the dangerous driver and finally located the suspect Hyundai disabled due to damage. The SUV was still facing the wrong way in the area of Cahoon Rd when the officer pulled up. Luckily the driver was unharmed and no other vehicles were involved when the vehicle struck the guard rail on the highway. The driver, a 20yo Lorain man, said that he didn’t realize that he was on the wrong side of the highway despite passing vehicles flashing their headlights at him. He believed that he got on the highway at McKinley which reports note was approximately 6 miles from the crash site. The driver appeared intoxicated but declined any field tests. He was arrested for OVI. An open bottle of Lunazul tequila was found in the car. The man also refused a breath test. He was charged with OVI, driving the wrong way on an interstate, failure to control and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Nervous, Of Course!
On 5/19/26 at about 9:30PM, officers stopped a vehicle at Crocker and Union for an equipment violation. In speaking with the driver and passenger, the officers noted that they appeared more nervous than normally seen in cars stopped for simple equipment problems. The passenger, a 32yo man from Mayfield Hts, was found to have warrants for possession of drug abuse instruments, felony possession of illegal controlled substances and DUI. He refused the officers’ orders to exit the vehicle so was physically extracted from the passenger seat. The man later told the officers that he ingested several pills in an effort to keep officers from locating them. An ambulance was summoned to take the man to the hospital to avoid an overdose. He was cleared at the hospital and transported to jail later in the day. The driver was more cooperative with the officers. Investigation revealed that the men were in possession of suspected methamphetamine, liquid “poppers,” pipes used to smoke meth, used syringes and burnt bottle caps with singed Chore Boy (all indicators of burning illicit substances for processing and ingestion). The driver, a 31yo Westlake resident, was arrested and charged with felony drug possession, possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia. After being released from the hospital, the passenger was charged with failure to comply and possession of drug abuse instruments. Reports note that WPD has had previous drug related arrests/incidents with both individuals.
Show Your Colors
Amazing offer from Bay Village Kiwanis. Let’s celebrate our country’s 250th birthday in style in Bay Village by displaying a flag at your home! BV Kiwanis is here to assist you in mounting your flag and/or providing you with a quality flag at cost to display. Sign up for here, https://forms.gle/tJfMpf4dgX3CD2cq5, to arrange a time in June to get “Old Glory” flying high! Donations benefit the American Legion Bay Village Post #385.
Free Microchip Clinic!
Help protect your pets. The BVPD routinely uses a microchip reader with lost animals and is easily able to return pets safely home.
No License
On May 11, 2026 at 10:30 am, BVPD conducted a traffic stop near Lake/Porter Creek. The registered owner was found to have no valid driver’s license. The driver was confirmed to be the registered owner and was issued a citation. The vehicle was turned over to a licensed driver. The 18-year-old Cleveland resident will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.
Down but OK in Bay
On May 11, 2026 at 8:30 pm, a resident contacted BVPD advising that a male was lying in a front yard near Lake/Bradley and did not appear to be moving. BVPD responded to the area and located the male. The male was checked and found to be okay. He advised he was attempting to reach Cleveland. The male was assisted.
Three Vehicle Crash
On May 11, 2026 at 10:07 pm, BVPD and BVFD responded to a 911 call reporting a three-vehicle motor vehicle accident with possible entrapment on Ashton Lane. Upon arrival, officers located the accident and determined the driver had struck two parked, unoccupied vehicles. The elderly driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The Bay Village resident was issued a citation for failure to control. The 90-year-old, Bay Village resident will be facing charges through Rocky River Municipal Court.
Stop Having Fun!
On May 12, 2026 at 4:51 pm, a resident contacted BVPD to complain that noise from a middle school baseball game was too loud and was preventing them from completing work. BVPD responded to the area and determined the noise level was not excessive for the event.
Struck with a Tractor
On May 14, 2026 at 11:37 am, a male contacted BVPD to report he had been assaulted the previous day at a job site in Bay Village. The male stated that an argument began with a coworker over the use of a new company work truck. While at the job site, the argument escalated and racial slurs were exchanged. The reporting party alleged the coworker intentionally struck him with a John Deere tractor. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Don’t Be Defrauded!
On May 16, 2026 at 11:50 am, a resident responded to the BVPD station to file a fraud report. During the investigation, it was discovered the resident’s HP tablet had been compromised, and the resident began communicating with a fraudster. The fraudster convinced the resident to withdraw a large sum of money under the pretense of fixing the tablet. The resident complied and withdrew the cash, which was later picked up in person by a third party. Police are investigating.
BVPD would like to remind residents to remain vigilant regarding online and phone scams. Common red flags include being instructed to purchase gift cards, withdraw large amounts of cash for pickup by unknown individuals, or deposit money into a Bitcoin machine. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will not request payment in these forms. If you receive suspicious requests or believe you may be the victim of a scam, contact BVPD before sending money or providing personal information.
