Man Arrested With Loaded Gun, Marijuana In Solon

SOLON, OH - Solon Police stopped a man for driving without a front license plate recently. The man smelled of marijuana and had a suspended license, prompting officers to search his car. Read on to find out what they found and to investigate other incidents from the end of April.

Theft, Solon Library: During an April 21 visit to the Solon Library, a 17-year-old Solon High School student left her car unlocked and her purse sitting on the passenger seat of her vehicle. When she returned from the library, her purse was gone. The detective bureau is reviewing surveillance footage.

Theft, Starbucks: A 35-year-old West Virginia man says his wallet was stolen when he visited Starbucks, 34182 Aurora Rd., on April 21. The man says his Mastercard has been used twice since his wallet was snatched. The first use was at a Broadway Avenue store in Bedford, the other was a fraudulent charge to Metro PCS. The detective bureau is reviewing surveillance video from the two stores.

Improperly Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, Aurora Road: Officers stopped a vehicle on Aurora Road for an equipment violation. They discovered the driver had a suspended license and an active arrest warrant. There was also evidence of drug abuse by the drive and police searched the man's car. A loaded handgun, wedged between the driver seat and center console, and a marijuana blunt were found in the vehicle. The driver Patrick Newman, 33, of Cleveland Heights, was charged with Improperly Handling a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, Drug Possession, and Driving under Suspension. He was additionally held on an arrest warrants from Euclid Police and Cleveland Heights Police.

OVI, US 422: A 39-year-old Warren woman was arrested after she was stopped for driving 82 mph in a 60 mph zone on US 422. When police spoke to the woman, they smelled alcohol and thought her eyes were red and glassy. The woman blew a .13 on a breath test. She was charged with OVI, Prohibited BAC, and Speed.

OVI, Inwood Road: Police stopped a car for driving erratically on April 22. The driver, a 34-year-old Solon man, had difficulty speaking with officers and emanated a strong odor of alcohol. Field sobriety tests indicated the man was impaired, police say. The man was arrested and taken to Solon Jail where he blew a .177 on a breath test. He was charged with OVI, Prohibited BAC, and Marked Lanes.

OVI, US 422: A car with no front plate was stopped by Solon Police on April 22. The driver, a 22-year-old Maple Heights man, was driving with a suspended license and there was an air of marijuana wafting from his vehicle. The man was asked to take field sobriety tests, which indicated he was impaired. He was arrested and taken to jail. He blew a .00 on a breath test. He provided a urine sample to be tested by the Ohio State Highway Patrol Lab. Police found a loaded 9mm handgun, with a loaded 12 round magazine, and a loaded 30 round magazine, in the glovebox of the car. Additionally, 7.4 grams of marijuana were discovered in the man's backpack, along with drug paraphernalia. Deion Blackwell was charge with OVI, Driving under Suspension, Drug Possession, and Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle.

Photo from Solon Police