Police Blotter: Man Thinks City's Traffic is a Crime

A and an accident on I-71 conspired to make a man miss his real estate exam April 25.

The man called police that evening to complain that gridlock throughout Strongsville made him miss his 5:30 p.m. test.

Police acknowledged that with Pearl Road closed because of an early morning water main break, and with a three-car accident on I-71 closing three southbound lanes about 5 p.m., there was major gridlock in town that day.

But they also told the man it was a civil matter, not a crime.

It's an Intruder, and He's Wearing a Mask

A resident of The Bluffs heard footsteps on the back deck about 12:30 a.m. April 26 and asked police to check it out.

Officers found evidence the visitor was a raccoon.

Theft from Rec Center

A cell phone was stolen from an unlocked locker at the between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m. April 24.

Suspicious Photographer

A Sagamore Circle resident told police someone in a black SUV drove by about 11:40 a.m. April 24 and took a picture of her 2-year-old grandson, who was standing in the doorway.

The car didn't even slow down to take the picture, the woman said.

Police couldn't find any SUVs in the area.

Theft from Auto

A laptop computer was taken from a car on Sandalwood Lane April 20.

The owner was not sure if the car was locked at the time.

Kids with Cart

Some kids pushing a shopping cart on Fallingwater Road April 25 raised some suspicions.

They admitted to taking the cart from Costco. Police watched while they returned it.