News Summary
This week, Westlake police dealt with two unusual incidents: a deer break-in at a local business and a menacing confrontation involving a Lyft passenger at a gas station. The deer, which broke in through a window, had to be safely corralled by officers after multiple attempts to escape. Additionally, a Lyft passenger acted erratically, leading to charges of menacing. Concerns about local coyote activity have also been raised, prompting police to urge residents to keep their pets safe.
Westlake – Westlake police responded to two unusual incidents this week, including a deer break-in at a local business and a menacing confrontation involving a Lyft passenger at a gas station.
On August 27, around 9 a.m., employees of a business located on Clemens Road reported a broken window and noted signs of blood. When police arrived, they discovered that a deer had entered the building through the broken window and was found running inside. In a coordinated effort, officers and a Westlake animal control officer worked to safely corral the deer. However, in a moment of panic, the deer leaped through another window, returning inside the establishment.
Recognizing the need for a careful approach, officers allowed the deer time to calm down and exhaust itself. Eventually, they utilized a snare to guide the deer outside, where it escaped into nearby woods, despite suffering some minor cuts from the broken glass.
The following day, August 28, at 5:10 a.m., police received several calls regarding a disturbance involving a Lyft driver and a passenger at a gas station situated at the intersection of Crocker Road and Clemens Road. The passenger, a 37-year-old resident of Westlake, was reported to be acting erratically, threatening both the driver and nearby motorists. The Lyft driver had picked up the passenger from the Jack Casino earlier that night. Following a short investigation, the passenger was charged with menacing as a result of his behavior.
In addition to these incidents, Westlake police issued a warning to residents regarding the presence of coyotes in the area. Over the past week, two reports of coyote attacks on small dogs in local backyards were recorded. One incident involved a small dog that was seen being attacked by a coyote, ultimately resulting in the pet’s death. In another case, a resident let their three dogs out, but only two returned, indicating that the third may have been carried off by a coyote.
Residents have been urged to keep a watchful eye on their pets, particularly small dogs, when outside. It is recommended to use leashes and keep pets in sight, especially in unfenced areas. To deter coyotes, residents should make loud noises and try to present themselves as large as possible. Coyotes are known to be prevalent in the Westlake area, particularly due to their habitat around the Cleveland Metroparks’ Bradley Woods Reservation.
While the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reports coyote sightings are common, conflicts with humans are typically rare. Nonetheless, the recent attacks highlight the importance of vigilance among pet owners in Westlake.
Police continue to monitor both situations and encourage residents to report any similar incidents or concerns to local authorities.
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- Cleveland.com: Westlake Police Warn of Coyotes
- Google Search: Coyotes in Ohio
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vandalism
- Politico: Max Miller Investigation
- Google News: Max Miller
- Newsweek: Feras Hamdan and Max Miller
- Wikipedia: Ohio
- Kansas City Star: National News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National News
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