Solon Police Report: OVI Crash & Illegal Tracking Device

SOLON, Ohio — The Solon Police Department managed several high-priority incidents this week, including a serious OVI crash involving an out-of-state driver, the discovery of an illegal tracking device at a local grocery store, and various arrests stemming from routine patrols and warrant checks. From May 5 through May 9, officers addressed multiple felony charges, including Aggravated Vehicular Assault and Improper Handling of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle.

Serious Injury and Resisting Arrest in OVI Crash

On May 8, around 12:02 pm, officers responded to a major injury collision on US 422 westbound near Brainard Road. An investigation, which included field sobriety tests, determined that a 27-year-old male from Maryland was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. During the encounter, the suspect resisted arrest and had to be physically restrained by officers. A later breath sample at the Solon Jail registered a 0.187% BAC, more than double the legal limit. Due to a 75-year-old female occupant of the other vehicle suffering serious injuries, the suspect faces felony charges of Aggravated Vehicular Assault in addition to OVI and Resisting Arrest.

Illegal Use of Tracking Device at Giant Eagle

In a rare case of electronic stalking, a witness at the Giant Eagle on Aurora Road reported seeing a person apply a tracking device to a vehicle in the parking lot on May 7. Responding officers contacted the 64-year-old vehicle owner and identified the suspect as her 55-year-old boyfriend from Parma. Police removed the device and are holding it as evidence while the victim decides whether to pursue formal charges for the illegal use of a tracking device.

Improper Handling of Firearms at Local Rollhouse

Late on the night of May 9, an officer on foot patrol in the Rollhouse parking lot on Bainbridge Road investigated an occupied vehicle that smelled of burnt marijuana. A 19-year-old driver from Cleveland Heights was found with two passengers, ages 18 and 17. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun hidden under the driver’s seat. The driver was arrested for Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, while the juvenile passenger, who had been drinking, was released to a parent.

Warrant Arrests and Neighbor Disputes

The week also saw several arrests related to existing warrants:

Solon Road Lockout: A 49-year-old man who called police to help him with an “auto lock out” was found to have an active warrant for Improper Handling of a Firearm. While officers did unlock the car at his request, he was arrested and turned over to Macedonia Officers.

Cochran Road Traffic Stop: A registration check on a blue Nissan revealed the owner had a warrant for Domestic Violence from Garfield Heights. The 54-year-old driver was detained and turned over to the appropriate jurisdiction.

Cannon Road Trespassing: A 74-year-old woman was cited for Criminal Trespass after repeatedly entering her neighbor’s property on Cannon Road to accuse them of theft. Police noted that the theft claims were entirely unfounded.

Frequently Asked Questions

On May 8 around 12:02 pm, a 27-year-old male from Maryland crashed on US 422 westbound near Brainard Road while driving under the influence of alcohol. He registered a 0.187% BAC at the Solon Jail and faces felony Aggravated Vehicular Assault charges because a 75-year-old occupant of the other vehicle suffered serious injuries.

A witness reported on May 7 seeing a person apply a tracking device to a vehicle in the Giant Eagle parking lot on Aurora Road. The suspect was identified as the 55-year-old Parma boyfriend of the 64-year-old vehicle owner. Police are holding the device as evidence while the victim decides whether to pursue charges.

Late on May 9, a foot-patrol officer in the Rollhouse parking lot on Bainbridge Road investigated a vehicle smelling of burnt marijuana and found a loaded handgun under the driver's seat. The 19-year-old driver from Cleveland Heights was arrested for Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle.

Solon officers logged at least three notable warrant-related arrests during the week of May 5 through May 9, including a Solon Road firearm warrant arrest, a Cochran Road traffic stop tied to a Garfield Heights domestic violence warrant, and a Cannon Road criminal trespass citation.

Yes. Ohio law makes it illegal to install or use an electronic tracking device on another person's vehicle without their consent in most circumstances. Charges are typically pursued at the request of the victim, which is why the Solon victim was given the option to file formal charges.

Aggravated Vehicular Assault is a felony charged when a driver causes serious physical harm to another person while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties typically include prison time and a lengthy driver's license suspension.