Stealing Crabs In Westlake? Stuff Them In Your Pants

WESTLAKE, OH — Last week saw a lot of strange criminal incidents in Westlake. Three different employees at St. John Medical Center were assaulted, two of them by folks with a penchant for biting. Nothing was stranger than the man who tried to shoplift his fine, crustacean dinner. Read on for more information on that incident and others from the past week.

Assault, May 25 - An intoxicated woman bit a St. John Medical Center employee on May 22. A warrant for her arrest was served on May 25.

Drug Abuse Instruments, May 22 - Police stopped a car on Center Ridge Road and discovered drug items and weapons. The driver, a 30-year-old Lorain woman, was arrested for drug abuse instruments. A 28-year-old Lorain man gave police a fake identity, but his real name was discovered, as was the Lorain Police felony warrant for his arrest. He was charged with drug abuse instruments, carrying various weapons, and mistaken identity. Police seized four crack pipes and two straws from the vehicle. Burnt foil and an Allen wrench were also found inside the car. (Never miss a police blotter, business news, or other Westlake updates. Subscribe to the Patch Westlake newsletter.)

Petty Theft, May 23 - The staff at a Detroit Road store stopped a 17-year-old Avon Lake girl as she tried to leave without paying for $81 of merchandise. The girl's mom came and got her. The teenager will face petty theft charges.

Child Endangering, May 23 - Motorists spotted a 4-year-old boy joyriding on a bicycle without parental supervision. A driver stopped him on Bradley Road and called Westlake Police. The boy's mom said he had sneaked out and been on the lam for 15 minutes. The city prosecutor will consider a child endangering charge.

Suspicion, May 23 - A man was seen masturbating in a Vine Street garage. A witness was able to get the suspect's license plate number. The investigation into the matter continues.

Fraud, May 24 - A $1,000 cash withdrawal was made from a Westlake man's bank account. Except the withdrawal was made in Columbus and without the man's consent.

Petty Theft, May 24 - A 67-year-old Cleveland man tried to steal $73 worth of crab legs from the Giant Eagle on Detroit Road. The man stuffed the crabs down his pants, paid for a bottle of pop, and then left. Employees of the store stopped him outside, but the man refused to go back inside the Giant Eagle. Two passers-by helped the staffers detain the man until police arrived. The suspect has previously been banned from all Giant Eagle stores, he was charged with petty theft and trespassing.

Assault, May 24 - Last week was a bad time to be a St. John Medical Center employee. A 29-year-old Cleveland woman bit a male staffer. An assault warrant has been issued for the woman's arrest.

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