Solon Police Reports: Stolen Gun, Fentanyl and Fraud

Scams and Fraud Target Residents

A 19-year-old woman lost $2,700 after falling victim to a TikTok scam on Oct. 20. The woman was contacted through the social media app by someone claiming to manage an orphanage and offering free money in exchange for help distributing donations. She received digital images of checks, deposited them into her shared checking account, then sent portions through Zelle to other accounts as directed. The checks turned out to be fraudulent, leaving the account at a significant loss. The family is working with their bank to reverse the charges.

In a separate incident on Oct. 21, a 37-year-old man narrowly avoided an employment scam. After applying for jobs online, he was contacted by someone claiming to be from Elevate Health. Following virtual interviews via Microsoft Teams, he was offered a position and instructed to purchase two iPhones as work equipment with the promise of reimbursement. He was also asked for banking information for direct deposit. The phone purchase was flagged as suspicious and didn’t go through. When he contacted the real Elevate Health, he discovered the recruiter was an imposter. The man suffered no financial loss and was advised on credit monitoring.

Domestic Violence Arrests

Officers arrested a 32-year-old man on Oct. 20 following a domestic violence incident on the block of Sherwood Drive. A 79-year-old woman reported her grandson began arguing with her, threatened her, then began choking her before another family member intervened. The suspect fled in a gray Jeep but was located by officers. He was arrested and charged with strangulation and domestic violence. The woman was taken to an area hospital for assessment. The suspect and victim live in the same residence.

On Oct. 25, officers responded to a domestic incident on Wexford Drive. A 41-year-old woman reported her husband slapped her during an argument before leaving in a white BMW. Officers located the vehicle in a parking lot on Hawthorne Parkway with the 42-year-old man inside. He admitted to slapping the woman but claimed she slapped him back. Officers determined he was the primary aggressor. He was arrested and charged with domestic violence. No medical treatment was needed.

Traffic Stops Lead to Multiple Arrests

An officer’s suspicion about illegal window tint led to an arrest on Oct. 22 on Carter Street. After stopping a black Jeep with expired plates, the officer detected an odor of burnt marijuana and the driver refused to answer questions about weapons or smoking marijuana in the vehicle. When asked to exit the car, the driver said “no” and physically resisted officers’ attempts to remove him. A 25-year-old South Euclid man was arrested after a struggle and charged with failure to comply with a police officer’s order, resisting arrest, window tint violation and expired plates. Officers found several suspected burnt marijuana blunts in the vehicle before it was towed. No injuries were reported.

On Oct. 25, a routine registration check led to the discovery of a concealed weapon. An officer stopped a vehicle turning into the Nestle facility at 5750 Harper Road after learning the registered owner had an outstanding warrant. When asked about weapons, the driver responded “nah.” A police K9 alerted to contraband in the car. No drugs were found, but a loaded semi-automatic pistol was located under the driver’s seat. A 31-year-old Cleveland man was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and driving under suspension. The weapon was seized and the vehicle towed.

The most serious arrest came on Oct. 25 when an officer stopped a GMC Terrain on Richmond Road near Cannon Road for dark window tint and no license plate light. The officer noticed marijuana blunts inside and smelled burnt marijuana. When the driver appeared to be perspiring and tensing up during the investigation, the officer decided to detain him. The man resisted and struggled before being handcuffed. A search revealed a duffle bag containing suspected raw marijuana, approximately 85 blue tablets and suspected contraband mushrooms. A loaded semi-automatic pistol found in the trunk had been reported stolen in Cleveland in 2021. The blue pills tested positive for fentanyl and the mushrooms tested positive for psilocybin. A 30-year-old Oakwood Village man with a prior drug-related conviction was arrested and charged with weapons under disability, receiving stolen property, two counts of drug possession, obstructing official business, window tint and license plate illumination violations.

OVI Arrest

An officer stopped a white Lincoln Navigator on Oct. 25 after observing it drift outside marked lanes on Aurora Road near Ayleshire Drive. The driver showed signs of impairment, had the odor of an alcoholic beverage and admitted to having two drinks. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests. At Solon Jail, he registered a .113% blood alcohol concentration on a breath test. A 46-year-old Reminderville man was charged with OVI, prohibited BAC and marked lanes violation. His license was suspended and the vehicle towed.

Theft and Trespass

Employees at Spirit Halloween at 33321 Aurora Road reported on Oct. 25 that they observed three women and a man fill two shopping bags with merchandise valued at $319 and leave without paying. The group fled in a silver Mazda CX5, later determined to be a rental car. The incident remains under investigation.

On Oct. 24, officers responded to a business at 28625 Fountain Parkway for a report of an employee refusing to leave and causing a disturbance. Officers found a 22-year-old Maple Heights man in his Chevy Equinox in the parking lot. He had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant with Woodmere Police. He was arrested and held on the warrant, and issued a trespassing warning at management’s request. No Solon charges were filed. The vehicle was towed.