SHOT FIRED INSIDE TOY BOX

Elyria – A single shot was fired inside of the Toy Box Night Club just after midnight Monday night.

Police were called at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday morning to the night club after the bartender said a person fired one shot near the back of the club.

Police responded and state as they pulled up to the front of the club they observed several subjects standing around as if nothing was happening. As Officers entered the club they said it also appeared as business as usual with patrons drinking at the bar and females dancing on the dance floor. Officers noted they saw no indication that anything out of the ordinary had happened.

Officers spoke with the bartender who told them that she and a few other patrons heard what they believed to be a single gunshot inside of the bar 10 minutes earlier.

The bartender said she looked towards the back of the bar and observed a subject in a black hoodie with the hood up exiting the rear door of the bar. The witness was unable to determine the race or sex of the shooter.

Officers found a .380 Midway Auto spent casing in the rear of the bar. None of the patrons inside of the club were able to provide a description of the shooter to Police.

The owner of the club told Officers that there is video inside of the club and that he would contact them if there is video of the shooter.

MAN BUSTED FOR STEALING MEAT

Elyria – An Elyria man was captured Sunday after he was spotted going into a garage and stole a bag of meat.

Police were called to the 800 block of East Broad Street Sunday afternoon for a reported break in of a garage. A neighbor working on his home spotted a man walking around his neighbor’s house around 3 p.m. Sunday and when the man entered the garage the neighbor quickly confronted him. The neighbor began asking questions to see if the stranger knew the homeowner but it was apparent that he did not by his answers. The homeowner came out of his house and also confronted the man saying that he was calling the Police. The man then said that wasn’t necessary – dropped the bag and fled from the area.

Police began searching the area for the man and spotted him at Prospect and Cambridge. Once the Officer turned on his lights to turn around the man ran off through back yards. The Officer caught up to him a short time later and ordered him to stop but he continued to run. With the Officer right behind him the man got himself into a corner with fences all around him. The Officer again ordered the man to stop and show his hands. The man continued to look for an escape route but then gave up.

The victim arrived at the scene and made a positive identification on the man.

Police then charged the man, 54 year old Robert Fenn of Garden Street Elyria, with Burglary (F2), Tampering with Evidence (F3) and Obstructing Official Business.


PHOTO GALLERY

LORAIN MAN ARRESTED FOR ARSON

TRIED TO SET MALL PARKING LOT ON FIRE

Elyria – Police arrested and charged 22-year-old Daniel Rosemark of Lorain with two counts of Arson Sunday afternoon after Rosemark set fires at the Midway Mall and in the woods near Golden Corral.

Midway Mall Security Officers told Police that they were informed by people that a man had just poured gasoline on the parking lot and was setting it on fire. When the Security Officers got to the parking lot Rosemark was walking away and the fire had burned itself out already. Security started to chase him and yelled for him to stop and wait for Police. Rosemark told Security that he didn’t have to listen to him and continued running toward the area of Golden Corral.

When Police arrived they met with the two Security Officers on Ford Road across from the Golden Corral. Police were told that Rosemark went over the guardrail and down into the woods. Police could smell burning brush but could not find any active fire.

Officers then spotted Rosemark sitting approximately 40 feet over the first set of cliffs edge with his feet dangling over the edge of another cliff that had a 20 foot drop to the Black River. Officers tried to get Rosemark’s attention as he sat with his hands hidden and a hoodie over his head but were unable to get a response from him.

Officers were able to make it down about 25 feet but due to lack of traction on the slope they couldn’t get any closer. One Officer began to speak with Rosemark while others started to make their way closer by hiking through the woods from Spring Valley Country Club on Gulf Road.

Rosemark told the Officer closest to him that he heard “people in Elyria were talking shit, so he decided to come to Elyria and show them that he doesn’t take that shit.”

Police learned from Rosemark that he was not suicidal but he did say that he wanted to jump down to retrieve his back pack. Rosemark also told Police that he was upset because he was having a hard time finding work and that he had not been taking his medication.

During this time Elyria Firefighters lowered ropes and rappelled down to the ledge where Rosemark was sitting. The Police Officer also rappelled down to Rosemark and patted him down in search for weapons.

Firefighters then wrapped ropes around Rosemark and lowered him to the Black River where two Officers were waiting and took him into custody. Officers then hiked through the woods to the Number 7 Tee Box at Spring Valley Country Club where they jumped on two golf carts and returned to their cars.

Rosemark, who had two outstanding warrants, was transported to the Police Headquarters and charged with two counts of Arson and was then transported to the Lorain County Jail.

Rosemark questioned Police if he was allowed to return back to the cliff upon his release from jail.


PHOTO GALLERY

CAR ROLLS OVER IN CASCADE PARK

Elyria – Three men driving through Cascade Park Friday afternoon ended up on a riverbank with the car on its side.

The car was heading through the park northbound and as they past the Ford the driver told Police that a deer jumped out in from of him. The driver stated that he took evasive action causing him to go off the left side of the roadway. The car struck a concrete barrier before going up the hill causing the car to roll onto its side. The car slide across the road and went down the embankment where it came to rest on its side against a tree.

All three men were able to crawl out of the car before help arrived. All three refused treatment or transport from LifeCare Paramedics.

One witness who was fishing in the Black River said he did not see the actual crash but said he saw the car traveling at a high rate of speed through the park just before hearing the crash.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.


PHOTO GALLERY

TWO MEN ARRESTED IN AMHERST

TAPED SEX ACTS WITH YOUNG FEMALE

Amherst – Amherst Police have arrested two men after an investigation into the men having sex with a female under the age of 16.

On September 14th, Amherst Police received a complaint from the mother of a female under the age of 16 who stated that at least two male adults were possibly engaged in sexual activity with her daughter and this was streamed on the Internet at various times over the past several months.

An investigation was started and on September 23rd, officers executed a search warrant at 2133 Larkmoor St in Lorain, were several items were seized.

MAX TORGERSON

As part of that continued investigation, detectives attempted to server an active warrant on Max Torgerson of Amherst. Torgerson was arrested at a residence on Oak Tree Dr North, in Lorain on two active Petty Theft warrants through Amherst Police Department.

The investigation revealed that on at least two separate occasions, there was sexual contact with a juvenile female under the age of 16 that took place in at least two different locations in the City of Amherst. The investigation further indicates there is a possibility that other males and females under the age of 18 may have been involved in similar activities which was also streamed live over the web to various adult sites. There is also an indication where money was paid to the people engaged in the sexual activity for their appearance on the web cam.

DARRIN KARNIK

As a result of the arrest of Torgerson and the search warrant executed earlier that day, Max A Torgerson, 21 of Amherst, and Darrin Karnik, 18 of Lorain, were both arrested and charged with the following:

2 Counts of Sexual Imposition (M-3), 2 Counts of Importuning (F-5), 2 Counts of Compelling Prostitution (F-3), 2 Counts of Pandering Obscenity involving a Minor (F-2), and 2 Counts of Pandering Obscenity (F-5). Bond was set at $60,500.00 each and both were transported to the Lorain County Jail pending their appearance in Oberlin Municipal Court on Sept. 24th at 8:30 AM.

The investigation is ongoing.

KID'S CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK

FOUR INJURED IN LORAIN CRASH

DEVELOPING
Story & Photos by BRIAN WOODS
Lorain – Police are investigating a two car crash in Lorain that sent four people to the hospital tonight – at least three of the four were considered critical.

The crash occurred on Colorado near Kansas Ave (by McDonalds) around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

Two of the victims were trapped and had to be extricated by Lorain Firefighters. All four victims were transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center Emergency Room. Two of the four were then flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Their conditions are not known at this hour.

More details will be posted as they become available and a complete PHOTO GALLERY will be posted shortly.

1 DEAD AFTER COLLISION WITH AMBULANCE - 2 FIREMEN INJURED

DEVELOPING
Grafton Township – One man is dead and a Firefighter was injured after a collision this morning between a 2001 Chevy Cavalier and a Grafton Township Fire Department ambulance.

The crash occurred in the intersection of State Route 303 and Island Road Wednesday morning. Few details are being released at this time as the investigation is still ongoing. We have learned that a Grafton Township Fire Department Ambulance (Unit 175) had been dispatched to a home on Island for a man that had fallen approximately 15 feet from a ladder. Grafton Township Unit 175 was then in the process of transporting the 62 year old male from the scene to Medina General Hospital. The ambulance was heading south on Island as they approached Route 303. According to the State Highway Patrol an 82 year old male was traveling eastbound on Route 303 in a Cavalier.

The cause of the collision has not yet been released.

Eaton Township Fire Department responded and had to use cutting tools to extricate the driver of the Cavalier. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Paramedics.

Both Firefighters in Unit 175 were treated at the scene and transported to Medina General to be evaluated.

The male who had fallen from the ladder was transported by another squad to Medina General.


PHOTO GALLERY

NEVER FORGET

LOCAL COACH BUSTED IN SEX STING

Firelands High School head football Coach Todd Pooch has been suspended by the Firelands School Superintendent after being charged for soliciting prostitution online.

Pooch, 36 of Huron, and 52 year old John Kemper of Brunswick, were charged in separate incidents in a Norwalk motel with a 3rd degree misdemeanor of soliciting.

The arrests were made following a 2 week investigation into a “brothel” that was being run out of Norwalk hotel and a 53 year old Norwalk man, Doug Lucas, who ran a website that catered to bondage and other fetishes. Lucas was charged with Promoting Prostitution, a 4th Degree Felony.

Sheriff’s Deputies rented two rooms at the hotel, setting up surveillance equipment in one room. Pooch and Kemper had both requested bondage and sadomasochistic activities separately through the website.

Authorities had the room prepared based on their requests. Authorities would wait until the men paid for the “prospected sexual encounter” and then entered the room and arrested them.

When Deputies entered the room they found straps tied to bed posts, dog cage, dog bowl and a dog collar. It was also reported that Pooch was barking before cops entered the room.

Pooch, along with being the head coach at Firelands, is a teacher at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School in Oberlin.

Pooch confessed to soliciting the woman for sex through the website.

Pooch and Kemper, who were among dozens of men who responded to the website ad, will appear in court on Monday.


Sadomasochism is defined as the combination of sadism and masochism, in particular the deriving of pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting or submitting to physical or emotional abuse.

FATAL CRASH UNDER INVESTIGATION

UNKNOWN WHY MAN WENT OFF THE ROAD

Elyria – The crash that killed 33 year old Mark Oskins of LaGrange remains under investigation today by the Elyria Police Department.

Oskins was traveling south on West Ave in Elyria just after 3 a.m. Sunday morning when his car went off the left side of the road just past 4th Street. The car first struck a small tree and then continued until it struck a larger tree. The impact with the tree crushed the front end of Oskins’ Cadillac Fleetwood and bent the frame of the car.

Firefighters and Paramedics had to break out the driver’s side front and rear windows to get to Oskins. Firefighters pulled the driver’s side door back allowing Paramedics to pull Oskins from the car. Efforts to resuscitate Oskins proved futile – he was pronounced dead at the scene by Paramedics.

Neighbors said they heard the crash but never heard tires squealing prior to the crash. Debris from the crash could be found nearly a block away.


PHOTO GALLERY

BRAWL AT BENCHWARMERS

Elyria – Five people were arrested Saturday night after a brawl broke out at Benchwarmers on Kerstetter Way.

Police had to break up the fight and disperse a large crowd that gathered to watch the fight. One man that was struck and then hit his head on the concrete was treated by LifeCare Paramedics at the scene but the victim refused transport to the Emergency Room.

The fight and crowd was brought under control within 20 minutes. The Police Department van had to respond to the scene to carry the 3 males and 2 females back to Police Headquarters.

More on this story as details become available.


PHOTO GALLERY

SHORT PURSUIT ENDS IN LORAIN

SPIKE STRIP SLOWS DRUNK DRIVER DOWN

Lorain – A Lorain man was arrested Saturday night after a short, slow speed pursuit with Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Trooper Al Marcum of the State Patrol said that he initially attempted to stop the man in Elyria for a simple traffic violation – Marked Lanes, a misdemeanor.

Once Marcum activated his lights the driver, Michael R. Casella of Lorain, just kept going. Speeds never really topped 45 but as much as Marcum and others would try Casella just wouldn’t stop.

At one point Casella was north on West River Road north heading for Route 254. The Elyria Post Commander, Lieutenant Travis Hughes, was able to get into position and throw out a set of spike strips. It was a good throw as Casella drover right over them blowing out his passenger side front and rear tires. However, Casella continued towards Lorain laying down pieces of tires along the way.

Casella made a turn onto East 42nd Street near the old Southview High School, then onto Meadow Lane where he simply pulled into the driveway of his parent’s home. Troopers, along with Police Officers from Lorain, were able to take Casella into custody.

Casella’s passenger was checked and released by Troopers at the scene. The man told Troopers that he begged Casella numerous times to stop.

Troopers charged Casella with OVI, Driving Under Suspension, Marked Lanes and Fleeing.


PHOTO GALLERY

TWO CRASHES ON ROUTE 57 SATURDAY

TWO MORE LIGHT POLES DOWN
AND A HIT SKIP KIA FOUND

Elyria – Two separate crashes on Route 57 Saturday night brought down two more light poles and sent two people to the hospital.

The first crash occurred just after 8 p.m. when a man traveling north on 57 from Chestnut Ridge Road lost control of his 1999 Pontiac Sunfire and went into the median. The car took out one light pole and several rose bushes and other shrubs.

The driver was treated at the scene by Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics. He, along with his dog, was then transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

Two hours after that crash another occurred on Route 57 near Cleveland Street also taking down a light pole.

Witnesses say a Kia Rio traveling south on 57 crossed the median, taking out a lane indicator sign and a light pole. Two cars traveling north on 57 struck the pole causing damage to both vehicles. The driver of the Kia Rio fled the scene south on 57 towards Cleveland Street.

Although all of the adults in the vehicles said they were not injured, Firefighters and Paramedics did treat a 2 month old baby and transported to Elyria Memorial as a precaution.

While Officers were conducting their investigation at the scene members of the Elyria Police Department Neighborhood Impact Unit found the damaged Kia Rio hidden in a parking lot on South Abbe behind the Sunoco gas station. The driver was not in the vehicle.

The investigations into both crashes are ongoing.


PHOTO GALLERY FIRST CRASH

PHOTO GALLERY SECOND CRASH

CRASH KILLS LAGRANGE MAN

DEVELOPING
Elyria – A LaGrange man was killed early Sunday morning after crashing his car into a tree on West Ave near 4th Street in Elyria.

Details and a complete PHOTO GALLERY later today on TMC NEWS

FIRE DESTROYS QUARRY RD BARN

TMC NEWS / BRIAN WOODS
Wellington – A barn on Quarry Road across from Echo Valley Golf Course was destroyed by fire early Friday morning.

Firefighters from the Wellington Fire District were called to 21011 Quarry Road for the fire around 1:30 a.m. When the fire Firefighters arrived they found the 40 x 80 barn fully involved in flames. There were initial concerns about propane tanks but they were secured early by the resident.

Several antique vehicles stored inside of the barn were completely destroyed as well, including a Cadillac, a Vet and a Platinum Edition Escalade.

Firefighters from LaGrange, Litchfield and Rochester provided mutual aid to Wellington at the scene. South Lorain County Ambulance District also provided assistance with rehab for the Firefighters.

Damage estimates from the early morning fire, structure and contents, could be as high as a half million dollars.

Although the family believes the cause of the fire was electrical, Fire officials still list it as undetermined and will be at the scene today investigating.


PHOTO GALLERY

PATROL OVI LABOR DAY INITIATIVE

Columbus – The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced their plans for the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend. The Patrol will focus on removing impaired drivers from our roadways and urging motorists to think twice before getting behind the wheel while impaired. Troopers will be out in full force in an effort to reduce fatalities over the long weekend.

Historically the Labor Day holiday is one of the deadliest on Ohio’s roadways. Last year during the Labor Day holiday reporting period, 17 lives were lost on Ohio roadways - of which seven were alcohol-related.

“Our goal is to end this summer travel season with a reduction of fatal crashes with an emphasis on education and strict enforcement.” said Colonel David Dicken, Patrol superintendent.

Troopers will be conducting and participating in sobriety checkpoints across the state over the holiday weekend. This is a continued effort that began August 21 when state troopers and thousands of law enforcement officers in communities throughout Ohio joined forces for a combined impaired driving enforcement as part of the national Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown on impaired driving. This enforcement initiative will last through Labor Day.

VICTIM FLOWN FROM 301 CRASH

LaGrange – One man was injured and flown to MetroHealth early this morning after a two car crash on Route 301 near Parsons Road.

Troopers say that Patrick Wood was traveling south on Route 301 around 6:30 a.m. when Edward Dobos ran stop sign at Parsons Road and struck Wood’s Ford Focus with his SUV.

LaGrange Township Firefighters and Paramedics treated Wood at the scene and then with the help of Carlisle Township Fire they landed Metro LifeFlight at the scene. Wood was then flown to Cleveland where he was treated and released a short time later.

The crash remains under investigation.


Photo special to TMC NEWS

ANOTHER DELIVERY GUY ROBBED

Elyria – Elyria Police are investigating yet another armed robbery of a food delivery man.

A Marco’s Pizza delivery man was sent to 492 High Street to deliver a pizza. A clerk from the store told Police later that when “they believed something was strange about the call prior to making the delivery.” The clerk said that they called the number to verify and it went to a voice mailbox so they had the driver “drop off some of the pizza money before going on the delivery.”

When the driver made it to the residence on High Street he pulled into the driveway and saw a black male standing in the driveway. He approached and asked the man if he had ordered a pizza, he replied that he did. As the driver went to complete the transaction another black male came up from behind him with a handgun and demanded the driver empty his pockets and to give him the Marco’s money bag.

The two men then walked the driver to the back of his car and then took his cell phone from inside of his car.

The two men then ran towards Clemens Street and the driver went directly to the Police Station to report the robbery.

A K-9 from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department helped search the area but Police were unable to locate the suspects. The victim’s cell phone and Marco’s pizza money bag were recovered.

DISCUSSION
This is the topic of discussion on our new FACEBOOK page – SHOULD PIZZA SHOPS DO AWAY WITH DELIVERY? SHOULD THEY STOP DELIVERING AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN? What would you do if you owned a restaurant that has a delivery service? JOIN in on the discussion now!

BUSTED STEALING XXX DVD’S

Elyria – An Elyria man was arrested Tuesday after a foot pursuit near the Midway Mall – busted for stealing X rated DVD’s.

Elyria Police responded to Cirilla’s at 661 Midway Blvd Tuesday afternoon after a man ran out of the store with stolen Adult DVD’s in his pants. As Police were getting into the area they spotted a man matching the description of the suspect crossing 57 eastbound toward Griswold Road. Police recognized the man as Aaron Solomon and ordered him to stop – Solomon then ran through Wendy’s parking lot and across the street in the area of the EconoLodge.

Solomon led Police on a foot chase down into the wooded area behind the motel. Police yelled to Solomon that they knew who he was and that should stop. It was about this time that a Police Dispatcher informed the Officers that Solomon was wanted on a Felony B&E Warrant and 6 Contempt of Court Warrants.

As Officers made their way through the thick brush and rocks near the creek they continued to order Solomon to stop. Solomon then attempted to get up the other side of the hill and tripped through the brush. Police caught up to him and as he struggled with Officers they initiated a takedown technique to place him into custody. Then the long walk back to the Police cars began.

Police asked Solomon where the DVD’s were and he replied, “I put them back there.”

A clerk from the store told Police that Solomon entered the store and went to the adult section and placed several X-rated DVD’s in the back of his pants. As he exited the store the clerk confronted him and asked for the movies back or they would call the police. Solomon told the clerk to call the police then ran from the parking lot.

An Officer brought Solomon back to the store and the clerk made a positive identification.

Police charged Solomon with Theft (M1), Resisting Arrest (M2), Obstruction Official Business (M2) and Tampering with Evidence (F3).