ATTENTION LORAIN PARTY PEOPLE

Anyone in Lorain who may have consumed too much alcohol on New Year’s Eve and needs transportation may call The Lorain Police Department at 204-2100 and request a ride home.

This service will be provided by The Lorain Police Auxiliary Officers on Friday, 31 Dec 2010 starting at 7:00pm through 3:00am on Saturday, 1 Jan 2011.

The service is from locations within the Lorain City Limits to locations within Lorain. We will not travel outside Lorain and we will ONLY transport persons to their residence, NOT from party to party. Persons who call for this service will only receive transportation to one location.

This is a free service staffed by Lorain Police Auxiliary Officers VOLUNTEERING their time in the interest of public safety. Wait times may exist depending on the volume of calls for this service.

IF YOU DRINK, DON’T DRIVE

MAN FLOWN AFTER I-90 CRASH

Story & Photos by BRIAN WOODS
Avon – A 40 year old Avon man was flown to Cleveland Metro after he slammed into the rear of a disabled car on I-90 in Avon Tuesday afternoon.

As Firefighters were responding to the crash they put Metro LifeFlight on standby after hearing it was possibly a head-on collision. When they arrived they found that a Ford Ranger had plowed into the back of a Ford Escort. After an initial exam of the driver of the Ranger they requested LifeFlight meet them at the Avon Emergency Care Center.

The driver, Scott Gibson, was treated on scene by Avon Firefighters and then transported to Avon ECC before being turned over to a Metro LifeFlight Medical Team.

The owner of the Escort, 53 year old Michael Veninshek of Sheffield Lake, had pulled over to the side of the road after his car broke down. Veninshek had already begun walking away from his car before the crash.

The Avon Police Department is investigating the crash but believe Gibson had experienced a medical incident prior to the crash causing him to lose control and go off the right side of the road.


PHOTO GALLERY

FATAL CRASH ON 57 IN GRAFTON

Grafton Township – Just steps from the Grafton Township Fire Department one person was killed in a two vehicle collision.

Lieutenant Travis Hughes of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that a passenger car was at the stop sign on Route 303 at Route 57. “They attempted to make a left hand turn onto northbound state route 57 when it was struck by the southbound commercial vehicle. There was only one occupant in the passenger car and he is deceased and we are withholding his name until family notification.”

The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured in the crash and Hughes said Troopers were interviewing him at the scene.

The intersection has been blocked since the crash while Troopers conduct their investigation and while they wait on the Lorain County Coroner to arrive to conduct his investigation as well.

Once the names have been released we will post them to this story.

UPDATE: The roadway was reopened at 3:30 p.m.

UPDATE: The Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified the driver that was killed in this crash as 64 year old Joseph Hamley of Parma Heights. Hamley was driving a 2008 Kia Optima and was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The driver of the 1995 Mack Dump Truck was 48 year old Hiram Sipes of Millersburg, Ohio.


PHOTO GALLERY

CHRISTMAS FATAL CRASHES DOWN

Columbus – Provisional numbers released today by the Ohio Department of Public Safety show fewer motorists were killed on Ohio’s roadways this Christmas Holiday.

During the reporting period, which began Thursday, December 24, at 6 p.m. and ran through Monday, December 27, at 5:59 a.m., six people were killed, including one pedestrian, with two of those deaths attributed to alcohol. Last year 11 people lost their lives, with five attributed to alcohol. In addition, in this year’s fatal crashes, 60 percent of those killed were not wearing a safety belt.

Throughout the extended weekend, troopers, alongside local law enforcement, used high visibility enforcement in an effort to reduce fatal and injury crashes state-wide.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety is encouraged by the reduction of fatalities this holiday weekend and hopes that this decline will continue throughout the rest of the year.

Troopers would like to remind motorists to buckle-up during the upcoming New Year’s Holiday and emphasize that wearing a safety belt is the only way to avoid serious injury or death during a crash.

GIRL CRASHES INTO BOYFRIEND

Elyria – An Elyria girl was hit with multiple charges on Christmas after she sent her boyfriend to the hospital.

Police say that 20 year old Ashley Simmons of Elyria said she and her boyfriend, 24 year old Dustin Detamore of Elyria, had been arguing earlier in the evening. Simmons said she was trying to catch up to Detamore so she could speak to him. When Simmons crossed the railroad tracks on Olive, heading south, she said she could not stop her car and slammed into the back of Detamore’s car. Simmons told Police it was simply an accident and her actions were not intentional.

When Police and EMS arrived they found Detamore lying on the ground just outside of his vehicle.

LifeCare Paramedics treated Detamore at the scene before transporting him to Elyria Memorial with head and neck pains.

Police detected an odor of alcohol on Simmons who admitted to having a couple of beers earlier in the evening. After failing a number of field sobriety tests she was taken to the Police station where a blood alcohol test revealed her level to be a .144%. Being under 21 years old the legal limit would be .002%.

Simmons was charged with Underage Consumption (M1), OVI (M1), BAC (M1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M4), Assured Cleared Distance Ahead (MM) and Expired Plates (MM).


PHOTO GALLERY

DOMINIOS PIZZA DRIVER ROBBED

Elyria – Yet another pizza delivery guy has been robbed at gunpoint in Elyria – this time it was a driver for Dominos on East Ave.

The driver told Police that he was delivering pizzas to an address on Hodge Court in Wilkes Villa off of Fuller Road about 9 p.m. on Friday. The driver stated that three black males robbed him of his cash, cell phone and pizzas before running off towards Tedman Court.

The driver returned to the pizza shop just around the corner to report the robbery.

Police Officers, along with Elyria K9 Foky, searched the area for the suspects. Although they did not find the three men they did locate several items in a creek that runs just east of the complex. Among those items found was a passport that had just been taken from a burglary on East River Road in Carlisle Township.

Police continued to search the area and found a window broken out of an apartment on Tedman Court. A search of the apartment turned up more items from the burglary and a couple of pieces of pepperoni pizza. Just outside of the apartment Police also discovered bags that had been taken from the East River home containing ammunition. A gun that had been taken from the home was not found.

The only description the man could give Police was 3 black males about 6 feet tall wearing black jackets and hoodies.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION on the recent rash of delivery drivers being robbed on our facebook page. What can be done to stop these robberies? Some suggest drivers carry weapons. What is your idea?

PHOTO GALLERY

GRINCHESS THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS

Elyria – A crash early Christmas morning sent two intoxicated people to jail and left a sour note to a Christmas party amongst family and friends.

Bobby Shannon of Elyria said that he was enjoying a Christmas party with family and friends on East Ave and Wolf Court when his wife came to him and said she heard two loud bangs out front. When they rushed to the front porch to see what was the matter they found two of their cars all in a smatter. That means smashed up by the way.

Shannon said that the woman who they call the Grinchess that Stole Christmas was stumbling around while her male passenger took off on foot running. “He said he was running to get help, even though there were about a dozen people standing out here looking.”

Some of the people from the party took off following the male who eventually ran out of gas at East Ave and Howe Street where Police took him into custody. Witnesses say they found something on his person other than candy canes.

The driver of the car admitted to driving at the time of the crash was taken into custody at the scene. While the Officer was attempting to handcuff her he told her to put her hands behind her back. She hoisted them high in the air. He again told her to place them behind her back. She then put them on her head. At this time a bystander from the party told the woman, “behind your back, not on your head.” The woman then placed her hands behind her back and was cuffed up.

Shannon said that although surveying damaged vehicles was not on the list of things to do during the party they refuse to let the crash ruin Christmas. “We have had a fun evening with family and friends tonight and we will not allow the Grinchess to steal Christmas from us. I’m just glad that nobody was injured and Merry Christmas to all.”

And to all a Goodnight!


PHOTO GALLERY

GARAGE TOTAL LOSS AFTER FIRE

Elyria Township – A garage and its contents were a total loss after a late night fire on Griswold Road Wednesday night.

Assistant Chief Russ Scarborough of the Elyria Township Fire Department said the homeowner spotted the fire just before midnight Wednesday. “We received the call at 11:42 p.m. and when we arrived on scene the structure, a detached garage, was full involved. We immediately went into a defensive mode, the house that sits in close proximity to the garage already had siding melting and the back deck was on fire.”

Scarborough said the initial attacks brought the fire under control quickly but their efforts were hampered by a frozen hydrant close to the house. Secondary crews had to lay a line down the street to the next hydrant.

While the overall damage estimate is not yet in, Scarborough said the structure loss is estimated at $40K. “The homeowner will tally the loss of contents which involves a 2008 Ford Escape, go-cart, mini bikes and tools.”

The cause of the fire is undetermined and Fire Investigators will be called in Thursday to begin sifting through the ruble. The homeowner said he had not been inside of the garage since noon on Wednesday. He also said that although he had a wood burning stove on inside of the garage he did watch it burn itself out completely before leaving.

The Lorain County Chapter of the American Red Cross was on scene assisting Firefighters in their rehab. No injuries were reported.


PHOTO GALLERY (BRIAN WOODS contributed to the Photo Gallery)

PIZZA GUY ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

Elyria – Another Elyria Pizza Delivery person reported being robbed at gunpoint late Wednesday night on Riverside Drive.

The Pizza Hut delivery guy told Police that he had just made a delivery to 34 Riverside Homes and when he was walking back to his car he heard footsteps running up from behind him. The driver told Police that one of the suspects put a gun to his head and said; “Give me everything you got.” While the driver was reaching for his wallet one of the suspects said; “Don’t look at me.” The other suspect then said; “Should I just go ahead and just shoot him?”

At this point the driver turned over his cash, a credit card and a GPS unit to the suspects who fled on foot.

The driver did not get a look at them but believe they were two black males between the ages of 18 and 20.

This story was first reported on the new TMC NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE moments after it happened. Sign up today to see developing stories and photo galleries. You can also join in on the discussion about all of the recent food delivery robberies and what can be done about them.

“CAR JUST CAME OUT OF THE SKY”

Story & Photos by BRIAN WOODS
North Ridgeville – A strange crash Tuesday night on the Ohio Turnpike left some wondering, “how did that happen.”

James Zeiset of Atlanta, Georgia was traveling west on the Ohio Turnpike in his semi hauling a load of sheet metal when a car came out of nowhere and hit him. “I’m driving along and then all of a sudden a car just came out of the sky and hit me.”

The car came from Route 10, the driver, Rocky Iammarino of Elyria, had lost control and went off a bridge, got air born and fell down to the Turnpike where he struck Zeiset.

Zeiset said Iammarino got out of his car and was stumbling around, “he wreaked of alcohol.”

Iammarino was transported to the hospital by Paramedics from the North Ridgeville Fire Department. Zeiset refused any treatment or transport by Paramedics.

The crash remains under investigation by the North Ridgeville Police Department.


PHOTO GALLERY

CAR STRIKES HOUSE ON GULF ROAD

Elyria – An Elyria man was injured Monday afternoon after he drove off the road and struck a house on Gulf Road.

Police say 56 year old Allan Forrest of Elyria was traveling north on Gulf Road near Elyria Catholic High School when he lost control of his 2006 Chevy Equinox. Forrest went left of center into oncoming traffic, jumped a curb, drove across a lawn and struck a house at 750 Gulf Road.

The damage to the house was minor but LifeCare Paramedics had to treat Forrest and transport him to Elyria Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. A bystander said they believed Forrest may have had a medical issue prior to the crash causing him to lose control.

Police cited Forrest with Reasonable Control.


PHOTO GALLERY

ELYRIA MAN SHOT ON 2ND STREET

Elyria – A 26 year old Elyria man, Tito Miller, was shot in the stomach in the 400 block of Second Street Monday afternoon after a dispute between his wife and another woman.

Police say that a dispute that began inside of the apartment building moved out onto the street where Miller was shot in the stomach. Two women and the suspect fled the scene in what witnesses described as either a dark blue or dark purple car.

Miller and his wife ran upstairs to a third floor apartment until Police and Paramedics arrived on scene. Paramedics began treating the Miller inside of the apartment building before they, along with Elyria Firefighters, carried him down the three flights of stairs on a special stretcher to an awaiting cot on the sidewalk.

Miller was taken to Elyria Memorial Hospital Emergency Room where he was then flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland where he remains in fair condition.

Police continued to collect evidence at the scene while other Officers searched several locations where the suspect had been known to live recently.

Late Monday evening Police found and arrested Jeffrey Grandberry on Bell Ave in Elyria and charged him with Felonious Assault and Having Weapons Under Disability. Grandberry has a lengthy record with the Elyria Courts including multiple Assaults, Domestic Violence, Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Burglary and various drug charges.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing by the Elyria Police Department.


PHOTO GALLERY

MAN BUSTED FOR COUNTERFEIT CASH

On Friday December 17th, the Amherst Police Department, as a result of an investigation and alert clerks from two local businesses, arrested 37 year old Joe A Lewis of Akron on charges stemming from passing counterfeit money.

During the month of December, Amherst Police received a minimum of 14 separate complaints from local businesses about receiving counterfeit $50.00 bills. Other Departments throughout Lorain County also received similar complaints.

Just prior to the arrest, the Amherst Police Department was alerted by at least two separate businesses of a black male who just attempted to pass counterfeit $50.00 bills. The description of the suspect matched previous complaints. A uniformed patrol Officer spotted the suspect in the parking lot of a local shopping plaza near Leavitt Road and Kresge Dr, which lead to him being placed into custody.

Amherst Police Detectives followed up on several more leads and went to a local motel room where they obtained and collected evidence which tied in the suspect into the counterfeit $50.00 bill operation. The Cleveland Secret Service was also notified and responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

Lewis was eventually transported to the Lorain County Jail where he is being held without bond until his court appearance in Oberlin Municipal Court on Tuesday December 21st at 8:30 a.m.

The investigation will continue and additional charges may be sought against Lewis and/or additional suspects.

It is believed these counterfeit $50.00 bills, and possibly $20.00, were passed in Lorain, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties.

Police suggest that businesses should be aware that the counterfeit currency passed the security pen test, however, several store clerks indicated the bill “just didn’t feel right.” The bills were discovered to be counterfeit once it was realized the vertical security thread which is embedded in the paper could not be altered and while the counterfeit bill had every indication it was a $50.00, the security thread indicated the bill was that of a smaller denomination.

Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional details will be released on these incidents.

Anyone who believes they have received counterfeit $50.00 or $20.00 bills should check the security thread to see if it matches other parts of the currency.

Any suspicious currency should be reported to your local police agency.

Lewis was formally charged with the following: Obstructing Official Business, Attempted Theft (2 counts), Possession of Criminal Tools (Felony), Criminal Simulation (Felony) and Theft (felony).

ANOTHER GUN OFF THE STREETS

Elyria – Elyria Police were called to Mardi Gras just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning for a reported disturbance. The caller hung up on the Dispatcher and upon call back a subject told the Dispatcher that he was the owner and that the Police were not needed. A third call was from a parent who said her daughter called from inside of the bar stating that someone had a gun and was not allowing anyone to leave.

Elyria Police Officer Joe Figula Jr. was in the Washington Ave lot at the time of the call and responded. While he was crossing the bridge he was able to hear gunshots coming from the Depot Street area. As Figula made his way to Washington and Depot he spotted numerous people running eastbound on Depot towards East Ave. Due to heavy traffic on Depot Figula went up to Broad and headed towards East Ave in an attempt to find an Oldsmobile that he believed was fleeing the area.

As Officers approached Broad and East they spotted the Oldsmobile haulin the mail from East onto Broad Street heading west, occupied by 6 males. Officers turned around on the car and were able to stop it in the McDonalds parking lot downtown.

Performing a “felony stop” Officers ordered each of the occupants out of the vehicle and took them into custody one at a time.

Once all of the occupants were in custody Officers approached the car to perform a search. The immediately spotted a black and silver Taurus .45 cal handgun in an open glove box.

The driver of the vehicle, John T. Herring of Lorain, is currently under indictment for Trafficking in Cocaine. He was charged with Having Weapons Under Disability, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Improper Handing of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, Using Weapons while Intoxicated, Speeding and Seatbelt.

Also arrested were Derrick Harris, 22 of Lorain, Isaiah Gonzalez, 20 of Lorain, Dartagnan Knowles, 22 of Lorain.

Harris was charged with Having Weapons Under Disability, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Improper Handing of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle and Using Weapons While Intoxicated. Harris is currently under indictment through the Lorain County Common Pleas Court for Carrying Concealed Weapon, Improper Handing of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Firearm in a Liquor Establishment and Using Weapons while Intoxicated.

Gonzalez and Knowles were both arrested on outstanding warrants through the Lorain Police Department.

Two other occupants in the vehicle were released without being charged.


PHOTO GALLERY

FIRE STRIKES RIDGEVILLE HOME

Story & Photos by BRIAN WOODS
North Ridgeville – A late night fire Tuesday struck a North Ridgeville home on Sugar Ridge Road near Route 83.

Lieutenant Rick Knowlton of the North Ridgeville Fire Department said the call came in at 11:03 p.m. after the homeowner found the back portion of his home on fire. “When we arrived the entire back of the home was on fire with flames shooting about 15 feet above the roof.”

Firefighters from North Ridgeville, Olmsted Township and Elyria battled the blaze that Knowlton said extended up into the ceiling area of the single story home.

Knowlton said after the fire was extinguished that now the investigation begins into discovering the cause of the blaze. “It appears to have started near the pot belly stove but we will do a full investigation into this fire to determine cause and damage estimates.

There were no injuries reported during this fire.


PHOTO GALLERY

AMTRAK TRAIN CATCHES FIRE

128 PEOPLE ON BOARD

Story & Photos by BRIAN WOODS
Elyria – No injuries were reported after an Amtrak lead engine caught fire during a Chicago to New York trip. Officials at Amtrak say the 128 passengers were never in danger and the three Engineers on board were able to escape safely.

The cause of the early morning fire is still unknown but the damage estimate is in excess of 1 million dollars. The train was stopped at the Elyria Amtrak Station on East River.

The passengers aboard the train suffered a 5 hour delay because of the fire but were back on their way to the Big Apple just after 10 a.m.


PHOTO GALLERY

TROOPER WINS ACE AWARD

Elyria – Trooper Jeff Kaess of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Elyria Post was honored with the Ace Award at ceremonies held at the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Training Academy yesterday. Colonel David W. Dicken presented Kaess with the first Ace Award of his career.

The Ace Award is for excellence in auto larceny enforcement. Kaess recovered five stolen vehicles with a combined value of $50,975 and apprehended five suspects in connection with the thefts. A certificate, uniform ribbon, and Ace license plates for display on his cruiser were presented to him.

Kaess joined the Patrol in February 2000 as a member of the 135th Academy Class. He earned his commission in September of that year and was assigned to the Sandusky Post. In January 2003 he transferred to his current assignment at the Elyria Post. Kaess also received the Criminal Patrol Award in 2005, 2006, and 2007 for excellence in felony enforcement, given yearly to those who open at least 12 felony cases.

Kaess currently resides in North Ridgeville with his wife, Joy, and children, Jordan, 9, and Jocelyn, 6.

FIRE DESTROYS LAGRANGE HOME

Story & Photos by BRIAN WOODS
LaGrange Township – Fire officials in LaGrange are still investigating what caused an early morning fire at 39038 State Route 303 but they say the winds aided the blaze in spreading quickly and destroying the home.

It took an ODOT worker who was plowing snow to spot the fire and call 9-1-1 as nobody was inside of the home at the time of the fire.

When Firefighters from LaGrange Township Fire & Rescue arrived on scene the home was already fully involved. With assistance from Wellington, Carlisle, Grafton Township and Oberlin Fire Departments the blaze was brought under control in about an hour.

The fire, which fire officials believe started in the family room, caused in excess of $150K and the home has been deemed a total loss.


PHOTO GALLERY

WINTER STORM WARNING UPDATE

UPDATED: Monday 3PM
The WINTER STORM WARNING for LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS and BLOWING SNOW remains in effect until 7am Wednesday.

National Weather Service forecast for the next 48 hours:
Late Afternoon: Snow showers and widespread blowing snow. High near 19. Wind chill values as low as -2. Windy, with a northwest wind around 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow showers and widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 13. Wind chill values as low as -4. Windy, with a northwest wind between 20 and 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tuesday: Widespread blowing snow before noon, then snow showers likely after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -7. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 20 and 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as -5. Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

CAR THIEF BUSTED AFTER CHASE

Elyria – An early morning chase through the city of Elyria Saturday morning ended with the arrested of a car thief suspect.

A Lorain County Sheriff’s Deputy was heading to LaPorte Inn after someone reported a Jeep being stolen from that area when the Deputy spotted the Jeep.

The Deputy attempted to stop the Jeep but the driver took off and headed into the city of Elyria. Once in the city a slew of Elyria Police Officers joined in with the Deputies.

The chase entered the city on East River north to the hospital where the suspect drove through the hospital parking lot cutting over to the Eastern Heights neighborhoods. The jeep lead the cops south down Prospect then cut back over to East River where he again headed north and headed for downtown Elyria.

Once in downtown the suspect took Depot Street to Washington and then lead the cops in circles around Washington, Ohio and Harrison Streets. The suspect, with a line of cops in toe, then headed south on Washington just before making a turn into an apartment complex where he was pinned by Officers.

The man was taken into custody and the Jeep was turned over to the owner who arrived on scene a short time later.

PS: Did you notice what is written on the suspects shirt?


PHOTO GALLERY

WINTER STORM WATCH ISSUED

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a WINTER STORM WATCH for Lorain and surrounding counties. The WATCH will be in effect from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

A strong storm system will move across the Central Great Lakes Region this weekend. In the wake of the storm system very cold air will arrive on gusty Northwesterly winds. The lake effect machine will begin by Monday morning with significant snowfall expected across an area north of a line from Oberlin to Medina to around Youngstown. After the lake effect snow begins Monday morning it will likely persist until at least late Wednesday evening.

Snowfall totals across all of the watch area should be a foot or more through Wednesday. The usual higher terrain areas of northeast Ohio into northwest Pennsylvania could see 2 or more feet of snowfall. The strong winds will cause significant blowing and drifting of the snow, especially Monday into Tuesday.

Wind gusts may be as high as 50 MPH Sunday night into Monday. These winds will also assist in keeping wind chills in a range from ZERO to 15 DEGREES BELOW ZERO through Tuesday.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE MAN CHARGED

UPDATE
North Ridgeville - Police have charged 40 year old Randy Flachbart of North Ridgeville with OVI (M1), Reckless Operation (MM), Assaulting a Police Officer (F4), Failure to Comply with Order (F4), Possession of Marijuana (MM) and Resisting Arrest (M2) in connection with the early morning chase that ended on Chestnut Ridge Road in North Ridgeville.

North Ridgeville Police say that an Officer pulled Flachbart over for a traffic violation on Chestnut Ridge Road near Victoria. During the stop the Officer could smell Marijuana and saw a joint in the ashtray. After the Officer had Flachbart step out of the car to make the arrest Flachbart punched the Officer in the face and throat. That is when Flachbart jumped back in his car and fled.

Police chased Flachbart around North Ridgeville with speed hitting 70 MPH before an Officer deployed a set of Spike Strips successfully disabling Flachbart’s car. A K9 captured Flachbart after he tried to run from his car into the woods. While being taken into custody Flachbart informed Police that he ran because of what they’ll find in the trunk of the car.

Flachbart received minor bites to the rear end from the North Ridgeville K9 that captured him.

MAN BUSTED AFTER ASSAULTING COP

DEVELOPING
North Ridgeville – A North Ridgeville Police Officer was assaulted early Thursday morning as he was attempting to take a man into custody.

The Officer pulled the man over on Chestnut Ridge Road and Victoria for a traffic violation. During the stop the Officer was attempting to take the man into custody when the man began striking the Officer. The man was able to make it back to his car and fled.

Police chased the man for several miles through North Ridgeville before an Officer was able to successfully deploy a set of spike strips flattening both front tires of the suspects Chevy Impala.

The suspect was able to drive a short distance further before he pulled off into a driveway in the 36000 block of Chestnut Ridge Road. The man then tried to run but a North Ridgeville K9 was too fast and was able to take the man down. Officers were able to take the man into custody, this time with a couple bites in his rear-end.

A search of the car turned up a large freezer bag full of marijuana.

Police say they will review the incident before announcing all of the charges the man will face but said they will include drug charges and possibly an OVI charge.

The Officer from the initial stop was not injured.


PHOTO GALLERY

MAN WITH KNIFE TASERED BY COPS

Elyria – An Elyria man was tasered just after midnight Tuesday morning after a standoff with Elyria Police on West Ridge Road in front of the Convenient Food Mart.

Police were called initially to the area of the Pub bar next door to Convenient after the man’s daughter called reporting her 50 year old father had a knife and was suicidal. Police responding were also informed by the daughter that her father wanted to die by “suicide by cop.”

While responding Police Dispatchers contacted The Pub and Convenient instructing then to lock their doors immediately fearing the man may run inside once Officers arrived.

An employee of Marcos Pizza said she got to the door of Convenient just as it was locked and saw the man standing near the doors. “I saw him there looking around and I just said hi, what’s up? He looked at me and said “you should probably walk away.”

As the employee began walking away Police began arriving and ordered her away from the building for her safety.

Police surrounded the parking lot and began speaking with the man in an attempt to get him to give up.

During the negotiations Police requested help from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department because they carry Tasers and Elyria Police do not. A special Bean Bag Gun was brought from the Police Station to the scene. LifeCare Paramedics were directed by Police to stage out of harm’s way behind the Convenient Store.

The distraught man kept asking Police to speak to his daughter. The Police assured him that she was there in the parking lot but told him they could not allow her to walk over to him due to him having the knife and suggesting that he had a gun on him as well.

The incident was brought to an end when the man put the knife to his chest and was getting closer to Officers a Deputy fired the Taser. The man fell to the ground immediately and was then subdued by Officers. The knife was taken away from the man and LifeCare Paramedics were brought in to begin evaluating the man.

With a Police escort the uninjured man was taken by LifeCare to Elyria Memorial Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

Employees from surrounding stores said the entire ordeal lasted less than one hour and praised the efforts of the Police and Deputies for bringing the situation to a successful end.


PHOTO GALLERY

WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a SNOW ADVISORY for Lorain County this afternoon. The Advisory will remain in effect until Tuesday morning.

Two to Five inches of new snow is expected overnight across Lorain County tonight. The heaviest snow across Lorain County will be in the southern portions of the County. Snow will taper off Tuesday morning with an expected additional 1 to 3 inches throughout the day Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
In Lake Effect Snow the weather can vary from locally heavy snow in narrow bands to clear skies just a few miles away. If you will be traveling across the region be prepared for rapid changes in road and visibility conditions.

MAN JUMPS FROM BURNING APARTMENT

Elyria – An Elyria man found himself in a position where he had to jump from a second story bedroom window to escape his apartment that was on fire.

Elyria Firefighters were first called by a cab company who reported seeing smoke coming from Wilkes Villa and crossing Fuller Road. Just moments later a second caller reported a kitchen fire on Bohannon Court.

LifeCare Paramedics arrived on scene first and had to move people away from the apartment building to a safer area. A car and an ambulance were used as shelter for the residents while Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

Shortly after Firefighters broke through the front door of the apartment they were able to get the blaze under control and extinguished.

The sole resident in the apartment refused treatment from Paramedics but a neighbor took a tumble after the fire was out and injured their back.

The extent of the damage was unknown at the time of this posting.


PHOTO GALLERY

DON’T LIE TO THIS GUY

Elyria Township – Troopers and Firefighters responded to Route 113 just west of Murray Ridge Road early Saturday morning after receiving reports of a car that went off the road and down the hill. While rescuers were responding they were informed of possible multiple victims and one possible fatality.

The first on scene was Trooper AJ Torres of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Torres found 33 year old Michael Burgess of Elyria at the top of the hill with blood covering his face. Torres attempted to get information about the crash from Burgess as Elyria Township Firefighters rolled up on the scene.

Firefighters quickly made their way down the hill to check the car for additional victims. It wasn’t long after the Firefighters made it to the car that they yelled up to the top “there’s nobody in the car.”

Torres and Assistant Chief Russ Scarborough of the Elyria Township Fire Department began grilling Burgess on his story. Burgess continued to say he was not alone in the car at the time of the crash. As Firefighters below began searching the wooded area with flashlights Torres and Scarborough continued to question Burgess. The Burgess tossed out the famous line, “there has to be someone else in the car, I wasn’t driving.”

Burgess who smelled of alcohol was then escorted to Torres’ patrol car. After giving him a few minutes alone Torres asked him again to tell the truth. Burgess then said, “my sister is going to be pissed at me.” The car Burgess was driving, a 2008 Mitsubishi, belonged to his sister who is living with her military husband in another country. She had left the car with her brother to take care of while she is away.

Burgess refused any treatment or transport from Elyria Township Firefighters at the scene.

Torres took Burgess to the Lorain County Jail to perform a breathalyzer test where he blew a .203.

Burgess was charged with OVI and Failure to Control.


PHOTO GALLERY

STATE PATROL ATTEMPTS TO SLOW RISING TRAFFIC FATALITIES

With the Holidays and the winter season almost here,

Patrol urges sober, belted driving

Columbus – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is announcing a last enforcement push that will continue through the end of the year in an effort to slow the rising number of fatalities on Ohio’s roadways. As of December 1, Ohio has experienced an increase of 49 fatalities over the same period last year.

This traffic safety operation will target known crash-causing violations such as failure to yield, improper passing/lane changes, unsafe speed, and following too close. Troopers will also focus their attention on impaired and aggressive driving, as well as other high-risk behaviors, such as driver inattention. Troopers will also be committed to firm enforcement of safety belt and child restraint violations.

“Last year we experience the lowest fatality rate in Ohio’s history, and so far this year – fatalities are up, and it is very disheartening,” said Colonel David W. Dicken, Patrol superintendent. “My troopers are going to be out there every day – doing everything they can – to try to reverse this upward trend.”

The Patrol urges motorists to drive sober, buckle-up and keep their eyes on the roads this holiday season. With the holiday and winter season, often comes inclement weather. In addition to driving sober and belted the Patrol would like to offer the following safe winter driving tips:
• Allow extra time to get to your destination.
• Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic ahead.
• Pay attention to the roadways and weather conditions, as they can change rapidly.
• Always pay close attention to bridges and overpasses, as they are often the first to freeze over.
• If you do slide off the side of the road, stay with your vehicle and call the Patrol at 1-877-7-PATROL.
• If you get stuck in snow, make sure that your tail pipe is free of all snow and debris, to decrease your chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Patrol reminds motorist to call 1-877-7-PATROL (1-877-772-8765) to report aggressive or impaired drivers.