7/5/2012 - West Side Leader
     

WEST AKRON: Burglaries were reported in the following locations: the 500 block of Castle Boulevard between June 20 and 25; the 600 block of Storer Avenue between June 20 and 26; the 1000 block of Emma Avenue June 23; the 2100 block of West Market Street between June 24 and 25; the 200 block of Rhodes Avenue June 25; the 100 block of Kelly Avenue between June 25 and 26; the 1400 block of Garman Road June 26; and the 400 block of Madison Avenue June 26.

A 24-year-old Gaylord Drive woman was charged with theft June 26. She admitted to stealing more than $71,000 worth of diamonds, heart earrings, a ruby and a blue sapphire over four to five months while she was an employee at Sterling Jewelers. She was charged with grand theft and booked into the Summit County Jail.

Akron police officers are seeking information on a shooting that occurred June 26 around 10:30 p.m. on Rosamond Avenue in the Lane-Wooster neighborhood. The victim, a 27-year-old Roslyn Avenue man, reported he was sitting in a car when he was approached by four males. One male allegedly started shooting into the car, striking the victim in the right hand. The victim was taken to Akron General Medical Center, where his injuries were not life threatening. The suspect was described as a black male, 18 to 22 years old, 5-feet, 9-inches to 6-feet tall, between 140 to 160 pounds and wearing a white T-shirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Akron Police Department at 330-375-2552.

Shortly after midnight July 27, officers responded to a call regarding shots fired in the 1300 block of Orlando Avenue, resulting in the arrests of a 42-year-old Bellevue Avenue man and a 22-year-old Belvidere Way man. Officers were given consent to search the residence by a female resident, recovering more than 200 grams of crack/cocaine, more than $6,000 in cash and a 9mm handgun. The older man was charged with possession of crack/cocaine, trafficking in crack/cocaine, obstructing official business, child endangering and possession of drug paraphernalia, while the younger man was charged with obstructing official business, domestic violence, disorderly conduct by intoxication and violent and turbulent behavior. Both men were booked into the Summit County Jail.

Officers also charged a 22-year-old Belvidere Way man with domestic violence, obstruction of official business and disorderly conduct June 27 for incidents occurring at his residence. Officers noted the man has a prior conviction for domestic violence from January 2011.

Also on June 27, a 49-year-old Lane-Wooster neighborhood man was charged with robbery, possession of criminal tools, resisting arrest and obstructing official business. The man reportedly stole items from a West Market Street discount clothing store, ran from officers and resisted arrest.

On June 28, a 20-year-old Wright Road woman was charged with drug abuse of crack. Officers were called to South Arlington Street and East Waterloo Road in East Akron in reference to occupants passed out in a vehicle. The woman was a passenger, while a 23-year-old Firestone Park neighborhood man, found to have a suspended license, was in the driver’s seat. Crack, marijuana and three Swisher Sweets cigars were recovered from the center console of the vehicle, and the woman admitted the crack belonged to her. The man was charged with drug abuse of crack, drug abuse of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A 20-year-old Gaylord Drive woman was charged June 22 with vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter and failing to stop at a malfunctioning traffic light in the traffic death of Green Collins, 57, of Pine Street, who was a backseat passenger in her vehicle. The accident occurred on April 19 at 3:21 a.m. at the intersection of West Cedar Street and Wabash Avenue. The woman was operating a 2002 Ford Explorer, traveling eastbound on West Cedar Street, when she drove through a malfunctioning traffic light at Wabash Avenue and collided with an ambulance in the intersection. The traffic light was malfunctioning due to a power outage, according to police reports. The woman appeared in court June 29 in Akron Municipal Court, where she entered a not guilty plea.

BATH: A Bath Hills Boulevard man reported June 16 that someone smashed his mailbox the previous night.

On June 16, a Medina Road resident reported receiving harassing phone calls from an unknown caller during the past three weeks.

Officers are investigating a June 19 report of credit card fraud filed by a Rock Creek Road woman who said suspects in California used her son’s debit card numbers to make several unauthorized purchases.

Police investigated a June 20 report filed by a Hametown Road man who said he is missing several prescriptions for medication, which he believes a family member has been selling to his friends.

Officers are providing additional patrols in the area of a Medina Road residence since June 20, when suspects broke into the home and wrote a cryptic message above a bedroom light switch.

Suspects stole $60 from a cash drawer in a cabinet at a Medina Road business June 22.

The manager of a Montrose bank reported June 22 that a client suffered a financial loss after making several payments to individuals in Massachusetts and Alabama, believing the money would be used to deliver a fictitious lottery prize to the victim.

Officers investigated ownership of a construction trailer abandoned along Interstate 77 June 22. The vehicle, which was loaded with an excavator, had no license plates and contained other items. It was towed to an impound lot, where it will be released to the owner who has proof of ownership.

On June 22, police investigated the theft of copper piping from a locked garage on Hughstowne Drive. There was no sign of forced entry.

Police investigated suspicious activity in the parking lot of a gas station at 1:30 a.m. June 23, when three males passed a box to a man in a vehicle and officers determined it contained a 24-pack of beer. The males told police they attempted to purchase beer at the station, and a clerk told them it was too late. After they protested, the clerk agreed to sell them the beer outside the station. The clerk admitted allowing them to place their money on the counter and carrying the beer outside. All parties were identified and released pending further investigation.

A Meadow Park Drive woman reported June 23 that she encountered an attempted scam by a person who placed an ad to rent an apartment on a website. The alleged renter requested a deposit to be sent before she could see the apartment, which she determined was not for rent by the person who placed the advertisement.

A man who left a child inside a vehicle outside a business while he was being fitted for a tuxedo June 23 was charged with child endangering and released with a court summons.

COPLEY: Police investigated a June 18 report filed by a Springfield Avenue resident who returned home to find the side window of his residence had been broken. The front door was still locked, and it was uncertain whether the suspect gained entry.

A Coon Road man reported June 19 that a representative of his bank contacted him to ask whether he had been in Texas, which he had not. The banker informed him there had been several purchases totaling more than $400 made in Texas stores using his debit card information.

On June 20, police investigated the burglary of an Aberth Drive church, where suspects entered, broke into an office and removed a door on a safe. Officers found the safe had been moved, money and documents had been stolen from it, and a printer was missing from a desk. There was no sign of forced entry on the exterior doors, which had been locked.

Police patrolling state Route 21 June 21 observed a driver speeding and tailgating a vehicle and stopped her near Minor Road. The Canal Fulton woman, whose license was under suspension following a previous DUI conviction, refused a field sobriety test and was charged with DUI, speeding, lane violations, refusing a DUI test and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. She was released with a court summons.

A Goodenough Avenue man reported June 21 that Akron police notified him that a shotgun stolen from his house had been recovered. The victim was uncertain when the firearm was stolen. It was last seen at his residence May 11.

A motorist on Schocalog Road June 22 reported that the driver of a black vehicle traveling in the opposite direction went left of the center line, struck his vehicle and continued driving.

FAIRLAWN: On June 22, police were reviewing surveillance video footage at a West Market Street vision care office after two suspects entered the store, one concealed $735 in sunglasses, and they left without paying and drove off in a vehicle.

Security agents at a mall department store reported June 22 that a male and female were in the store and the female concealed merchandise. The two suspects left the store and were stopped by police, who charged the woman with theft, recovered merchandise totaling $113, and released her with a court summons. Both suspects were advised they were banned from the store.

Police searched an area near Kenridge Road the evening of June 22 in an attempt to locate a male who allegedly assaulted two people walking with friends on Kenridge Road. The victims and witnesses reported the suspect approached one man, accused him of sleeping with his sister, knocked him to the ground and threatened to kill him, then punched his sister in the face. Officers located the suspect and charged him with assault, domestic violence and aggravated menacing and took him to the Summit County Jail.

An Akron man who allegedly concealed shorts under his jeans and stole four other clothing items from a mall department store June 23 was charged with theft of the items totaling $163, released with a court summons and advised he was banned from the store.

Employees of a West Market Street record store reported June 23 that an intoxicated male was in the parking lot. Police located the suspect, observed an empty beer can under the tire of his vehicle, four bottles of vodka in the vehicle and the driver asleep behind the wheel while the vehicle’s engine was running. When officers were unable to wake the driver, they called EMS, who transported him to Akron General Medical Center. The following day, the 18-year-old Wadsworth man was charged with DUI, underage drinking and having open containers of alcohol in a vehicle.

Police are seeking suspects who stole a $228 TV from a Montrose discount store, loaded it into a dark, four-door vehicle and drove away June 24. Officers are reviewing video footage of the incident and parking lot.

On June 25, an employee pursued two males who activated security sensors as they ran from a mall clothing store carrying a large bag of merchandise. The employee reported the suspects ran through the mall, into and out of a restaurant and into a department store, where she lost sight of them. She said as she began to chase the suspects, a female stopped her to ask a question. She believes the female is an accomplice. Police are seeking all three suspects.

Security agents at a mall department store reported June 25 that a man who had stacked items by a door on a previous occasion but did not take them was back in the store. He reportedly concealed items totaling $393 and left without paying. Police charged him with theft and advised him he was banned from the store.

A Bancroft Road woman reported June 25 that a Mongoose bicycle was stolen from her yard that morning. She said other items have been stolen from her yard in the past two weeks, including two scooters and another bike.

Police went to a bus station on West Market Street June 25 and arrested a man who was wearing jeans that had been stolen from a mall department store. Officers recovered the jeans along with a stolen shirt, charged the Akron man with theft and advised him he was banned from the store.

Officers arrested two Akron females for theft June 28 after security agents at a West Market Street discount department store reported they concealed merchandise and left without paying. One woman was issued a court summons to juvenile court and released to her parents. An adult was released with a court summons.

NORTON: Officers responded to a report that a vehicle had rolled over on Fairland Road June 23 and the driver might be trapped inside. Officers found the unoccupied vehicle and learned the driver had climbed out the window and left the scene in a maroon vehicle, which they located. The driver of the maroon vehicle said he was taking the accident victim to a hospital, but police learned that was a false statement, and he was actually driving him to his girlfriend’s house. The accident victim refused medical treatment and failed a field sobriety test, and the Barberton man was charged with DUI. His BAC tested .276.

Police responded to a disturbance at a Norton Avenue trailer park the evening of June 24, when several witnesses reported a man drove through the park at a very high rate of speed, despite the presence of children in the area. Officers observed four feet of rubber marks on the road from the tires of the suspect’s vehicle. The Norton man, who allegedly admitted he had been drinking, failed a field sobriety test and was charged with DUI, reckless driving and having a BAC that was more than twice the legal limit. Following the incident, residents continued to argue, and police were called back to the location. Officers attempted to drive a male and female to another location for the night to stop the arguing, but they had no other place to go, so police advised all residents to stay inside their own residences.

On June 24, officers patrolling Summit Road stopped a Cuyahoga Falls man for lane violations. He failed a field sobriety test and was charged with DUI and released with a court summons. His BAC tested .121.

Detectives are investigating a report of robbery, which occurred in the parking lot of a Greenwich Road plaza June 24. Two Norton Middle School students reported they were riding their bikes when four men in a black vehicle pulled up. Three of the occupants exited the vehicle and attacked the boys. One suspect knocked a victim to the ground and stole his bike. The other two knocked the second victim down and kicked him until his iPod fell out of his pocket. The suspects took the iPod and left. Police responded and chased a suspect who ran behind the plaza. They lost the suspect in a wooded area, but they recovered the stolen BMX bicycle and returned it to the victim. Officers are seeking the vehicle and all four suspects.

Police patrolling Wadsworth Road June 24 stopped a Barberton driver who made a wide right turn into oncoming lanes of traffic. He failed a field sobriety test and was charged with DUI and released with a court summons. His BAC tested .222.

A Wadsworth Road woman reported June 24 that her son’s electronic tablet, games, clothing and DVDs are missing from the home. She said she spoke to the mother of a high school student, who confirmed that her daughter took the tablet and sold it.

A Waldern Road woman reported June 25 that her ex-boyfriend took her $400 cell phone. Police determined the suspect, who lives in Dayton, is wanted on warrants from other communities.

The owner of a Grant Street business reported June 25 that a former employee has been making unwanted calls to his work and home phone and leaving profane, harassing messages. Police contacted the suspect and advised him to have no contact with the victim. 

A Euclid man attempted to flee from a traffic stop June 26 and police stopped him as he entered state Route 585. He failed a field sobriety test and was charged with DUI and failure to comply with police orders.

Also on June 26, a Wadsworth Road resident reported an unknown person hit eight golf balls, which landed on his property, and one of them smashed a greenhouse, causing $100 worth of damage. Police were investigating reports that a Houston Road man, whose property abuts the victim’s, has been hitting golf balls from his backyard.

PENINSULA: On May 1, a Peninsula officer received a radio assignment in reference to a “strange sound” outside a resident’s window on Akron-Peninsula Road. The officer talked with the resident, who stated he had heard noises outside his window. The officer saw two deer outside the home. No further police action was taken.

An officer was dispatched to a location on Oak Hill south of the covered bridge May 1 to investigate a “suspicious cooler.” A caller said the cooler had been abandoned at the location since April 28. The officer checked the blue and white Rubbermaid cooler, which had a broken lid. The cooler was discovered to be empty inside.

A woman reported at the police station May 3 that a former business associate might be stalking her. The woman said the suspect arrived at her Riverview Road home April 27, where the woman’s husband told the suspect that she wasn’t home. The couple was advised to call the police if they received further unwanted attention. No other police action was taken.

An Akron-Peninsula Road resident came to the police station May 4 to report he was a victim of identity theft. The man said his credit card company had called him to ask whether he made three purchases at a store in Texas April 30. The man said that he did not and that he had not authorized anyone else to use his card. The three purchases were for a total of $94. The man’s bank is conducting an investigation.

An officer was dispatched to a store on Akron-Peninsula Road May 4 to investigate a report of a man threatening employees with a blowtorch. The man left the store in a blue and white pickup truck, and the officer found him in his vehicle at the corner of Akron-Peninsula and Truxell roads. The reporting party drove to the scene of the traffic stop and positively identified the subject. The business owners declined to press charges, but advised the man he is no longer allowed on their property. The subject was issued a citation for driving on expired Texas license plates and his vehicle was towed. No other police action was taken.

On May 7, police officers responded to a Stine Road address in reference to a breaking and entering that was possibly still in progress. The officers met the reporting party in the driveway and checked the interior of the home. The perpetrators had left the scene, and the report states that the “kitchen, living room and bedrooms had obvious evidence of crime.” On the same date, an officer was dispatched to a different residence on Stine Road to investigate another breaking and entering. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was requested to assist with processing the scenes.

Two officers were called to a business on Main Street May 8 in reference to a male patron making “off the wall” comments to employees and customers. Upon arrival, the officers met the man in the parking lot. The subject was charged with disorderly conduct, carrying a concealed weapon, falsification, expired driver’s license and parking in a no-parking zone.

Officers were dispatched to a business on Akron-Cleveland Road May 9 in reference to a shoplifting report. The officers were told the suspect was headed northbound by foot, dressed in black clothing and carrying a 12 pack of beer. The reporting party said the shoplifter, who is a regular customer, came in earlier to obtain beer, but he already was intoxicated and the victim refused to sell him more alcohol. The suspect left the store, but an hour later he returned, entered the store and went directly to the cooler, where he took the beer and left without attempting to pay. The officers searched the area but could not locate the man.

On May 15, an officer was sent to a Main Street location in regards to suspicious activity. The officer arrived on scene and located a vehicle. The driver, a juvenile, produced his identification on demand and said he was looking for places to ride his four-by-four. His vehicle contained five other juveniles. The identification checked out, and the juveniles were advised of the fines, penalties and vehicle sanctions if they were caught off-roading on private or parkland.

An officer was dispatched to an address on Main Street May 17 to investigate a report of suspicious persons. The officer spoke with a woman who said her husband told her that two young females in a beige automobile had asked him a series of questions about the number of school-aged children in the neighborhood. The girls were allegedly conducting a survey for a class project. The woman, who did not witness the encounter, felt it was suspicious and called the police. The officer patrolled the surrounding area, but did not locate the suspects.

On May 20, two officers received a radio call in reference to an alarm drop on West Mill Street. The officers checked the building’s exterior and found it to be secure. The officers were admitted to the building by the emergency contact and found a bird had entered the building and set off the alarm. The bird was removed and the alarm reset.

An officer was sent to a West Barlow Road residence May 24 in reference to found property. The officer met with a man who said he found “a baggy that appeared to be crack cocaine while removing cabinets in the kitchen.” The officer took the baggy and entered it into an evidence locker.

On May 24, an officer was sent to a school on Bronson Avenue to investigate allegations of an 8-year-old student stealing property from the school and other students during the past several days. Prosecution was refused and the case was closed.

A Peninsula Village employee reported May 31 that a black and yellow cement-cutting power saw was missing from the village’s garage. The employee said the item was last seen by him in December but wasn’t noticed as missing until May 31.

RICHFIELD: Police officers responded to a report of an accident on Brecksville Road the night of June 18 and found vehicle parts lying on the ground near a pole that had been snapped in two. A witness said a vehicle had crashed and it had been towed away. Police followed marks left at the scene by the tow vehicle and located the damaged vehicle on an oil well access road outside a Boston Road residence. Officers transported the driver to the police station, where he reportedly admitted he had been drinking, but police could not determine whether he was drinking before or after the accident. He declined medical attention for minor injuries and was charged with failure to control his vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident, which resulted in property damage.

On June 19, police and rangers from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park were seeking the driver of a dirty white tanker truck with two propane tanks on the back of it after a witness reported he saw the truck parked along Furnace Run Creek and questioned a man who was removing creek water and putting it into the truck. The driver told the witness he was taking water from the creek to use it to purge an oil well of paraffin. The witness asked whether he had a permit to take the water, and he said he did not and that the water is free. It is a crime to remove any natural resources from the national park, according to police.

A retired Streetsboro Road woman reported June 21 that she learned a product she did not order had been shipped to her without her consent and is being charged for it. She said she received an unsolicited call June 4, which was a recorded message instructing her to press the No. 1 on her phone in order to speak to a live person. When she did, a person told her she had ordered the device because she pressed the No. 1, which entered her into a one-year contract with the company. On the day of the report, a company representative called her and said the product had been shipped and she must pay for it even though she had not ordered or received it.

Police are seeking juveniles who threw eggs at a vehicle and house on Whitburn Circle while a family was away. Several people witnessed the incident, which occurred between June 21 and June 24, and provided descriptions of the suspects.

The Akron police reports were compiled by Ariel Hakim, and the Peninsula reports were compiled by Sean Patrick. The remainder were compiled by Maggie DeMellier.

Editor’s note: The police reports provided here are a sampling of those filed with each community’s police departments. For questions related to the reports we’ve included or others we have not, call the West Side Leader at 330-665-9595. To provide information on an alleged criminal act noted in this week’s report, call the local police department.

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