Westlake -
On 9/21/18 at approx. 1:13 Pm WPD received a call from the Verizon store on Detroit Rd reporting that a female was inside attempting to open an account using a fraudulent identification. The described female was still in the store when officers arrived. After being identified, the 39yo from Houston, TX was found to have a felony warrant out of Massachusetts. She admitted to attempting to use a fraudulent PA driver’s license, altered with the suspect’s picture but an unsuspecting victim’s identifying information, to try to alter their cell phone account and purchase an expensive phone. The suspect also said that she was just a “mule” and was hired by a “Michael” to commit the crime. The female was arrested and charged with felony identity theft. Detectives are following up with the victim.
On 9/21/18 at about 3:25Pm officers were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel on Sperry for a reported unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The complainant said that he had loaned his 2005 Dodge Caravan to a female he had known for approx. 5 years. She had not returned with the vehicle as promised and had also taken a cell phone and credit card without permission. A report was taken for the missing property. While officers were speaking with the complainant, they also observed what appeared to be crack smoking pipes and other paraphernalia along with white rocks, suspected to be crack cocaine, in plain view. The male, a 73yo from Cleveland, was arrested. He was charged with drug paraphernalia and was released pending the lab results on the collected suspected drug.
On 9/21/18 at 3:30PM WPD received multiple reports about a truck that struck a utility pole on Center Ridge at Bradley. The telephone pole was reportedly down and flames were seen from the lines and transformer affected. There were no injuries and the driver of the truck was cited.
The roadway was closed for several hours while crews cleaned up and restored power.
On 9/22/18 at 11:52AM officers were dispatched to a residence on Bradley Rd for a reported overdose. Unfortunately the 43yo resident was found to be deceased from a suspected heroin overdose. Evidence of drug use was collected at the scene and the WPD detectives are working with the Cuyahoga County Coroner to investigate the case.
On 9/23/18 at approx. 8:44AM an officer was checking on a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of The Red Roof Inn when he discovered that the owner of the car had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. The 44yo from Elyria was located walking back to the area. Investigation revealed that she was in possession of less than 1g of methamphetamine along with a pipe for smoking the drug. She was arrested and charged with felony drug possession.
Between 9/1/2018 and 9/26/2018 WPD has investigated 8 reports of thefts from autos. 7 of these vehicles were left unlocked while the last report is still under investigation. Most occurred during overnight hours while the vehicles were parked in residential driveways. Stolen items include purses, credit cards and misc change. The reports came from Westwood, Hedgewood, Columbia Rd, Wildwood, and Detroit Rd on the east side of Westlake. This is a good reminder to bring in your valuables and lock up your vehicles when left unattended.
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