Solon Police Blotter: Cryptocurrency Fraud, Workplace Threats, and Retail Theft Investigations

SOLON, Ohio — The Solon Police Department responded to multiple high-stakes incidents including a major cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme, a targeted workplace threat, and several retail theft attempts. Local law enforcement worked alongside regional state and federal agencies to address an automated web platform scam that cost a resident over $160,000. Additional police interventions during the week involved immediate arrests at area businesses following aggressive behavior and theft. How did the Solon cryptocurrency investment fraud occur? A 48-year-old Solon resident was scammed out of $168,000 after interacting with an online advertisement for Moneyflare, which claimed to be an automated AI cryptocurrency web platform advertising a 6% return. The victim initially transferred $55,000 in cryptocurrency from a pre-existing account. When the platform falsely indicated that the transaction failed to process, he completed a second $55,000 transfer, followed by an additional $58,000 to cover a purported account deficit. What happened during the aggravated menacing incident at DiBella’s? On May 13, at approximately 4:35 pm, Solon police officers were dispatched to DiBella’s on Aurora Road following a reported argument between two employees. Although the male suspect initially left the scene, he returned 20 minutes later and escalated the dispute by threatening to shoot the female employee’s children and violently assault both the employee and the store manager. The suspect fled on foot behind a nearby TownePlace Suites on Enterprise Parkway as staff contacted emergency responders. Who was arrested for the retail theft attempt at Tractor Supply? A 27-year-old Twinsburg resident faces a first-degree misdemeanor warrant for arrest after a failed theft attempt at the Tractor Supply store on Kruse Drive on May 12. Store employees were actively on alert after receiving a regional warning about a recent successful fraudulent transaction involving an e-gift card at a Broadview Heights Tractor Supply location. The suspect attempted to purchase a Troy Bilt lawnmower valued at $379.99 using an e-gift card that lacked a required verification. Additional Solon Police incidents and investigations OVI Arrest on Bainbridge Road: On May 16 at 12:20 am, an officer discovered a gray Hyundai SUV running and parked near Harper Road with an unresponsive driver asleep inside. A partially full bottle of cognac was recovered from the front passenger seat. After failing field sobriety tests, the 57-year-old driver from Detroit, Michigan, was arrested and recorded a .139% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) breath test at Solon Jail. He was charged with OVI and Prohibited BAC. Dispensary Disturbance: Officers responded to the Verilife Dispensary on Aurora Road on May 17 following reports of a retail dispute. A 31-year-old Maple Heights resident became argumentative when his debit card was rejected during a purchase. He removed roughly $30.00 from a counter tip jar before returning the cash after staff intervened. Officers stopped his white Chevy Camaro as it exited the lot, arrested the suspect, and charged him with misdemeanor Theft. Suspicious Retail Activity: Solon police are actively investigating two highly similar incidents reported on May 16 at the GetGo on SOM Center Road and the Marathon Gas Station on Aurora Road. In both instances, a male suspect described as wearing a hooded sweatshirt and glasses opened consumer packaging inside the store, consumed product without paying, and departed the scene in a Honda Accord. Historical Sexual Assault Report: School personnel at Solon High School received a telephone call from a Northeast Ohio resident reporting an inappropriate contact incident involving a former staff member that occurred over a decade ago. The uncharged suspect is no longer employed by the district and has previously faced similar legal charges. Solon detectives are attempting to contact the third-party reporter to gather verified details as the active investigation continues.