Solon Police Reports: Loaded Weapon and Crack Cocaine Found During Family Dispute

A series of incidents kept Solon police busy last week, including an impaired driver who struck a tree before attempting to flee the scene, a man found with illegal weapons during a family dispute, and a road rage incident that escalated into physical confrontation.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL OFFENSES

Driver Admits to Smoking Crack Before Crashing into Tree (April 21)

Solon police arrested Ahmed Gharib, 35, of Cleveland, after he crashed his white Jeep Compass into a tree near Richmond and Aurora roads and attempted to flee the scene on foot. Officers located Gharib walking near 28170 Aurora Road close to the Bedford Heights border.

According to police reports, Gharib admitted to officers that he “had been smoking crack prior to driving.” After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, he was arrested and transported to Solon Jail where a Police Drug Recognition Expert conducted an evaluation and collected a urine sample for analysis.

Gharib faces multiple charges including Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (M1), Hit Skip (M1), Failure to Control (MM), Stop Sign (M1), and No Seatbelt (MM). His vehicle was towed from the scene.

A 54-year-old male passenger from Cleveland was also cited for Open Container (MM) after police discovered an open alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. No injuries were reported in the single-vehicle crash.

WEAPONS OFFENSES

Armed Felon Arrested During Family Dispute on Tallyho Drive (April 22)

A family dispute escalated to a weapons arrest when police responded to a call from a 76-year-old Solon man who reported someone was threatening him at his residence in the 33000 block of Tallyho Drive.

Upon arrival, officers found a white Jeep with heavily tinted windows in the driveway. When an officer opened the door, they discovered a male suspect inside. During the investigation, officers recovered a loaded semi-automatic pistol and suspected crack cocaine from inside the vehicle.

The suspect, identified as Eric Rowe, 47, of Cleveland, was determined to be prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior criminal convictions. Rowe was arrested and transported to Solon Jail, facing charges of Carrying Concealed Weapons (F4), Having Weapons Under Disability (F3), and Possession of Drugs (F5).

The original caller had reported that his daughter, 41, who also lived at the residence, and her husband (Rowe) were involved in the threatening situation. No charges were filed against the woman.

TRAFFIC OFFENSES

Driver Flees Police After Disabling Vehicle in Highway Median (April 23)

An officer on patrol observed a dark-colored sedan traveling eastbound on US 422 near Harper Road shortly after midnight on April 23. When the officer attempted to follow the vehicle to identify its license plate, the car rapidly accelerated and turned off its headlights.

Another nearby officer joined the pursuit and observed the vehicle drive into the median where it became stuck. By the time officers reached the disabled vehicle, the driver had fled the scene on foot. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.

The vehicle, identified as a black Volvo, was towed from the scene. Police are continuing their investigation to identify the driver.

DISTURBANCES

Road Rage Incident Leads to Pepper Spray Attack, Mutual Charges (April 24)

Two drivers were cited for disorderly conduct following a road rage incident that began on US 422 and culminated in a physical altercation on Aurora Road.

A citizen alerted an officer on patrol about two men fighting near their vehicles on Aurora Road. Officers located one vehicle, a truck, stopped near 31000 Aurora Road. The driver told police he had been involved in a close call while driving on US 422, which led to an argument with another driver. When both vehicles stopped on Aurora Road, the argument escalated into a physical confrontation, during which the truck driver pepper-sprayed the other motorist.

The second driver was found in his Chevy SUV at Circle K, 29605 Aurora Road. He provided a similar account of the incident. Officers determined both men were mutual participants in the altercation, and no injuries were reported.

Milan Ciric, 43, of North Royalton (Chevy SUV driver) and Adrian Peric, 47, of Willoughby Hills (truck driver) were both cited for Disorderly Conduct (MM) and released.

HARASSMENT

Realtor Reports Indecent Exposure During Virtual Meeting (April 22)

A 53-year-old female realtor reported an incident of telecommunications harassment at the Solon Police Department on April 22. The woman, who works for a local real estate company, told officers she received a text message from an unknown man who requested to meet via Facetime to discuss a Solon property she was representing.

During the video call, the man allegedly exposed his genitals on camera. The realtor managed to capture a screenshot of the suspect before ending the call. She provided the image to police, who are working to identify the individual.