On 4/20/18 at 11:36PM WPD received a report of a car on fire on I90 W/B east of Columbia Rd. Furthermore it was reported that the 4 occupants of the vehicle had gotten into another car and left the area. The vehicle, which was fully engulfed upon arrival, was extinguished by the Westlake and Rocky River Fire Departments. The registered owner of the car was contacted and claimed that they had not given anyone permission to drive their vehicle and it still should be in their driveway in Lorain, OH. They were advised to file a stolen auto report with their local police department.
On 4/21/18 at approx. 10:30AM, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. It pulled into the Super 8 Motel on Sperry Rd where the operator, who said he was visiting a friend at the motel, was contacted by the officer. When the officer spoke with the 50yo from Newburgh Hts, OH an odor of marijuana was detected in the vehicle. Upon running the male through police databases, it was also noted that he had a CCW permit. When asked, the driver admitted that he had a firearm in the vehicle as well as marijuana. A loaded 9mm handgun as well as less than 1g of marijuana were confiscated from the car. The male was arrested and charged with misdemeanor Improper Handling of a Firearm as well as possession of marijuana.
On 4/24/18 at approx. 3:40AM a resident of an apartment complex on Detroit at Cahoon called to report that a male and female were loudly arguing in front of the building. Officers found a male walking away from a female in a mini-van in the lot. They denied that they were arguing but explained that they were “loud talkers.” While the officers investigated, it was learned that the female who was driving the van, a 33yo from Cleveland, had a suspended driver’s license. The van’s plates were also expired. The male, a 31yo from Westlake, had a felony warrant from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff Dept. After he was arrested for the warrant, it was discovered that he also was in possession of several unprescribed pills, including hydrocodone. He was charged with felony possession of dangerous drugs. The female was cited with driving under suspension and expired plates. She was sent on her way after her van was towed.
On 4/25/18 at approx. 5:16AM, the attendant at the BP gas station at Clemens and Crocker Rds reported that she had been robbed by 2 males. The males had not overtly produced a gun but reportedly one said "we're robbing you, give me all of your money.” One of the males also showed the clerk what she believed was a weapon, or hammer, in his pocket. The clerk was not injured, just scared. The males took a small amount of cash and merchandise and left on foot. Night shift officers soon located the 2 males leaving the scene on foot. With the help of Bay Village PD, both males were soon in custody in the area of the Red Roof Inn on Clemens. The captured males were positively identified as the perpetrators as was their get away driver, who had been waiting in the area for the would be robbers. The three males, one from Westlake, one Cleveland, and one homeless, were all 18 years old. The two who went into the store were charged with Aggravated Robbery while the unsuccessful get away driver was charged with felony Complicity to Robbery. Investigation into the three continues. It is believed that they are connected with the recent night time break in at Zoup! as well.
(Photo courtesy Westlake Police)