VIOLENT CRIMES
July 4-5 A massive unpermitted block party on Miles Road in Cleveland drew around 500 people, resulting in fireworks fires, multiple fights, and injuries to two officers. One officer was bitten during the chaos.
Two deadly overnight shootings struck Cleveland. Around 3 a.m. in Slavic Village, a man and woman were found dead. At 4:15 a.m. at Buckeye Plaza, one person was killed and five others wounded. Police recovered multiple guns at the scene.
July 3 The missing person case of 26-year-old Canton drag performer Ryan Godbey, known as JJ, became a homicide investigation. Godbey disappeared June 19, and his ex-partner Daniel Mattay was arrested. Godbey’s final text to a friend read “Danny is mad.” Police found signs of a struggle and abandoned vehicle items.
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
July 5-7 A deer wandering Mentor-on-the-Lake caught attention with a bird feeder stuck in its antlers near Andrews Road. Police attempted to help but the deer kept running away. “It does not appear to be in any pain and we witnessed it frolicking with its family and eating normally,” police said. Officials decided to leave the deer alone, expecting the feeder to fall off naturally.
July 5 Security cameras captured a black bear strolling through Wooster, walking past a wheelbarrow outside a residence. Police reminded residents to bear-proof their yards and contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Officials believe it was likely a young male seeking mates during breeding season.
MACHINERY ACCIDENTS
July 6 A woman suffered critical injuries and a man faces charges after a crash involving a utility vehicle and lawn mower in Boone County. Robert Cooper, 58, was arrested on charges including wanton endangerment, reckless driving, and drug possession. Around 8:45 a.m., deputies responded to Beaver Road after a witness reported the woman riding a lawn mower suffered a head injury when it flipped while being towed by Cooper’s side-by-side vehicle.
Two people were injured when a motorcycle hit a dollhouse that fell from a vehicle on State Route 161 near New Albany. Four motorcycles were riding together when the playhouse fell from a vehicle ahead of them. One bike struck the dollhouse, ejecting both riders.
OTHER INCIDENTS
July 3 Three Taco Bell workers on Harding Highway in Lima were fired following an altercation involving racial harassment. Michael Dowtoe said he was trying to buy a beverage when an employee became aggressive and kicked him out. When the employee went inside, he started hitting the door. Dowtoe put his foot against it to avoid being hit, causing the door to bend.
July 1-3 Cedar Point’s newest ride experienced problems on opening day, leaving riders stranded vertically for at least 10 minutes. The ride broke down again July 3, trapping riders for nearly 40 minutes before they were safely escorted off.
July 4-7 Medina police reported various incidents including a teenager cited for burnouts at Chippewa Lake, a disorderly conduct citation downtown, suspicious fallen bricks damaging vehicles, phone harassment, welfare checks, suspected drug deals, identity fraud, and a dog bite.
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