Ohio News

HINCKLEY, OH – The Hinckley Police Department is continuing their investigation of a boy and his dog who were abandoned two days before Christmas in an Ohio cemetery.  On December 23rd, at 12:16 pm the Hinckley Police Department responded to Hope Memorial Gardens Cemetery for a reported abandoned child. Officers arrived, meeting with the witness who advised that she had stopped at the cemetery and observed a medium blue mid-sized car parked semi blocking the drive in the northeast corner of the cemetery. As she drove around the vehicle and stopped, she observed the vehicle drive away at a high

CANTON, OHIO – U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that Matthew Paul Slatzer, age 36, of Canton, Ohio, was sentenced by Judge Donald C. Nugent to 27 months imprisonment, the maximum possible sentence allowable within the federal sentencing guidelines. Slatzer previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a person with domestic violence conviction. “This defendant is well known within the community as an individual with a hateful ideology prone to threaten violence towards law enforcement and others based on race, religion or sexual orientation,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “These hateful beliefs, combined with a history of actual

ATHENS COUNTY, OH – The following is a list of incidents responded to by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office between December 23rd and 27th. Deputies responded to Connett Road, in The Plains, for a report of a loud music complaint. Deputies patrolled the area and was unsuccessful in locating. Deputies resumed patrol. Deputies responded to assist APA, in Glouster, on a subject with a warrant. Prior to arrival, APA advised to disregard. Deputies assisted Ohio State Highway Patrol, with a traffic stop on St. Rt. 13, where suspected narcotics were located. A male called the Sheriff’s Office, in regards to harassment.

COLUMBUS, OH – While driving in a car as a passenger, a 14-year-old boy was shot by an occupant of another vehicle on Christmas Day.  Police said on December 25, 2020, at 6:29 pm,  officers were dispatched to a hit-skip auto accident.  Upon arrival, officers located the 14-year-old victim who stated that he was a passenger of the vehicle when he was struck by gunfire.  The victim stated that they were driving in the area of Karl Rd. and Morse Rd., when an unknown person, driving a gray vehicle, fired gunshots into their vehicle. The victim was grazed on his

COLUMBUS, OH – On December 13th, 2020 at 6:55pm, the 68-year-old victim went to Linda’s Market at 2165 Courtright Rd. He left his car running as he stepped in the store briefly.  The victim saw a grey car pulll up next to his and the rear passenger get out and get into his car. The victim ran out and attempted to get the suspect out of his car. While this was happening, the other two occupants of the grey car got out and proceeded to punch him. Both suspects struck the victim & knocked him to the ground. As the victim

COLUMBUS, OH – A 17-year-old shot dead in the streets of Columbus on Wednesday is the 163rd murder in the city so far in 2020.  On December 16, 2020, at 9:28 pm, officers were dispatched to the area of Deewood Loop and Deewood Dr. on shots being fired in the area. Upon arrival, officers located what they believed was the scene of the incident in the rear of 6193 Deewood Loop W. At 9:36 pm, officers were dispatched to St. Ann’s Hospital on two walk-in gunshot victims that were self-transported. Upon further investigation, it was determined that these victims came from

CLEVELAND, OH – U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland has returned a two-count indictment charging Erika Vega Ramirez, age 31, of Toledo, Ohio, with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and attempted possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. “Fentanyl has killed thousands and thousands of Ohioans,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This defendant is alleged to have possessed enough fentanyl to kill 500,000 more. I am grateful for the actions of our law enforcement partners who prevented these deadly drugs from reaching the streets.” “Battling the distribution

COLUMBUS, OH – A man was shot dead today at the Skyview Towers.  Police evacuated residents while they conducted their search. Today, December 16th, 2020 at 12:07 am, officers were dispatched to 525 Sawyer Blvd. (east Columbus) on a report of a male who was shot. Columbus Police received multiple calls with similar statements that witnesses heard multiple gunshots from inside the building. “Thank you to the residents and staff of Skyview Towers who were displaced by police activity early this morning while detectives were investigating this case,” Sgt. Terry McConnell, Columbus Police Homicide Unit said. “It was cold, early

On December 15, 2020 at 5:43pm, officers were dispatched to the area of 2606 Christine Blvd. on the report of a shooting.  Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a juvenile. The victim informed the officers that while he was walking in the area, an individual in a vehicle began chasing him and his friends. The driver of the vehicle began shooting at them and he was struck one time. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and rushed to surgery. He is expected to survive the injuries.  Anyone with info about this case is asked to

CINCINNATI, OHIO – An Ohio man who pretended to be a missing Illinois boy was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft.   Michael Rini, 24, formerly of Medina, Ohio, was charged by criminal complaint on April 6, 2019 and indicted by a grand jury on April 18, 2019. He pleaded guilty in January 2020.   According to court documents, Newport, Ky. police officers responded to a call on April 3, 2019 in which the caller described Rini as wandering the street, looking confused and in need of assistance.   Rini

COLUMBUS, OH  – A man was shot driving his car when another vehicle pulled up alongside him and began firing into his car.  Police said today that on Monday,  at 3:04 pm, officers were dispatched to 925 Mayfield Pl. on the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the officers located the victim, 20-year-old Veldez Sullens. Sullens stated that while he was driving on Frebis Ave. near Alum Creek Dr., an unidentified vehicle and suspect, pulled up next to him and shot into his vehicle. Sullens was struck one time in the leg & was transported to an area hospital in

RITTMAN, OHIO – U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that Audrey Ivers Whitworth, 26, of Rittman, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent to 36 months of prison and two years of supervised release after she pleaded guilty to one count of bank embezzlement and one count of aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, from June 23, 2017, to August 5, 2019, while Whitworth was employed as a branch manager of a federally-insured bank, she embezzled approximately $84,000 by making unauthorized withdrawals from the account of an 84-year-old customer with dementia. “This defendant stole over $80,000

COLUMBUS, OH – A black man is being sought by police in Columbus after he assaulted and robbed a shopper exiting the Smoky Outlet on Parsons Avenue. According to police, on Monday at 1:10 pm, the victim made a purchase inside the Smoky Outlet at 1635 Parsons Ave. The victim exited the store and was walking to his vehicle when the suspect approached him from behind and threw him to the ground.  The suspect took a bag from the victim containing his wallet & ran westbound on Welch Ave.  The suspect was described as a male, 20-25 years old 6′, 180-200lbs.,

EAST CLEVELAND, OH – Police in East Cleveland flagged a Pontiac Grand-Am with fake license plates driving recklessly on Sunday.  The drivers of the car both gave chase. Police said that on December 13, 2020, at approximately 7:48 pm, officers from East Cleveland Police Department’s  A Platoon attempted a traffic stop on a red Pontiac Grand Am for operating with no headlights, fictitious tags, and reckless operation near Euclid Ave. and Lee Blvd. The driver fled at a low rate of speed as he traveled down Terrace Rd. After reaching Euclid Ave., a second unit joined the pursuit. The driver

COLUMBUS, OH – A 15-year-old girl who went to fight another girl on Brehl Ave., stood outside her foe’s home yelling for her to come out and fight here.  Instead, she was shot in the face and rushed to Mt. Carmel West Hospital to treat her injuries. Columbus police say that on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 2:38am, officers responded to Mt. Carmel West Hospital on a walk-in shooting victim.  Upon arrival, officers observed the 15-year-old victim with a single gunshot wound to her face which caused her to lose several teeth.  The victim stated that she was going to

COLUMBUS, OH – A 15-year-old boy confessed to police officers at the crime scene of a deceased woman that he stabbed his sister to death on Saturday.  According to police, on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 9:06 pm, Columbus Police Officers were called to the area of 777 Butler Ave. on a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found 28-year-old Sinnea Thomas suffering from wounds that appeared consistent with a stabbing. Thomas was transported to Grant Medical Center in critical condition where he was pronounced deceased at 10 pm.  Shortly after Thomas had been transported from the scene his

COLUMBUS, OH – The city of Columbus, Ohio has a murder problem.  On Friday, the 155th homicide of the year occurred inside the Barclay Square apartment complex.  According to police here, on Friday at 11:58 pm, Columbus Police Officers responded to the area of 2885 Barclay Sq. S. on a shooting. Upon arrival, officers were able to locate two victims that were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  Victim, John Doe #1, who has not been identified at this time, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Victim #1 later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at

COLUMBUS, OH- A woman laying in bed sleeping at 3:30 am Saturday morning was shot in the arm by a stray bullet that entered her home according to police.  On December 12, 2020 at 3:30 am, the victim was shot one time in the right arm while laying in bed at 3782 Waderlidge Trail in South Columbus.  The victim was transported to a local hospital and will recover from her injury.  Anyone with any additional info on this case is encouraged to contact CPD’s Assault Unit at 614-645-4141 or jphalen@columbuspolice.org or Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).

ASHTABULA COUNTY, OH – Cherise Griffith of Ashtabula County has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the rape of multiple children, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. “While iron bars will restrain evil and prevent further harm, my heart breaks for the young victims who have also been imposed a lifetime of potential harms and painful memories,” Yost said. “Child rapists rape no children in prison.” Griffith, 41, was sentenced on Wednesday in the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas after pleading guilty to four counts of child rape, each a felony of the first

COLUMBUS, OH – 17-year-old and 16-year-old Columbus teenagers suffered gunshot wounds after their illegal gun sale on Ogden Avenue went south.  Last night, Thursday, December 10, 2020, at 10:38 pm, Columbus Police officers were called to the area of 62 S. Ogden Ave. on a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old male both suffering from gunshot wounds. The 16-year-old was taken to to Nationwide a Children’s Hospital in critical condition. The 17-year-old was taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition.  The investigation revealed that the 16-year-old was attempting to purchase a firearm