Man pleads guilty in veterans thefts

ELYRIA — An Elyria man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from two break-ins at facilities run by local veterans groups.

Kenneth Messer, 45, was accused of breaking into the AMVETS post on Abbe Road in Sheffield Lake in December 2009 and the American Legion post in Amherst last October, said his attorney, Michael Towne.

Messer also was accused in an August 2009 break-in at the AMVETS post in Carlisle Township in which four safes were stolen, according to police.

Messer entered guilty pleas to charges ranging from breaking and entering to theft and safecracking.

He isn’t the only one facing charges in connection with the string of break-ins at veterans posts. Frederick Sharpless, 20, is still awaiting trial on charges stemming from the burglaries, while Daniel Gutherie, 24, was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty earlier this year.

Alleged DVD theft leads to foot chase

ELYRIA — An Elyria man is facing several charges after allegedly leading police on a chase Tuesday that ended near the creek behind Griswold Road.

Aaron Solomon, 41, was charged with theft, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. He was also arrested on six contempt of court warrants and one warrant for breaking and entering.

According to Elyria police, officers went to Cirilla’s in the 600 block of Midway Blvd. in response to a report of a man stealing DVDs. The caller stated that Solomon concealed three DVDs in the back of his shorts and tried to leave, police said.

When confronted, he reportedly said, “Go ahead and call the police,” and left, employees told police.

While en route, police were notified that Solomon had left the store and was heading toward state Route 57. Officers spotted Solomon, and ordered him to stop, but he took off running. Officers pulled into the former Country Kitchen parking lot and saw Solomon go down into the creek bed by the Econo Lodge.

Police said Solomon ignored officers’ commands to come out of the woods, and police set up a perimeter around the creek.

Conditions were slippery and steep, with lots of brush. Solomon reportedly tried to flee when he saw an officer coming downhill after him, but he tripped and fell, then got up and tried to run again, but was taken down by the officer.

Solomon was taken to the Lorain County Jail, where he was being held without bond pending a court appearance.

Elyria deliveryman robbed at gunpoint

ELYRIA — A pizza deliveryman was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday night.

According to Elyria police, the order for a pizza to be delivered to a home in the 400 block of High Street came into the Marcos Pizza on West Ridge Road.

The victim pulled into the driveway and was met by a young man, who said he had ordered the pizza.

As the victim went to complete the transaction, a second man reportedly came up from behind with a handgun and ordered the deliveryman to empty his pockets and hand over the money bag.

The victim complied, handing over about $30 in tips from his pockets and $50 from the money bag.

He reported his cell phone also was taken from his vehicle, and the two suspects fled toward Clemens Street.

Vermilion fight rumors unfounded

VERMILION — Rumors of a possible gang fight prompted police to swarm the parking lot at Vermilion High School Wednesday afternoon.

But Vermilion Police Chief Bob Kish said there was no fight.

Police have been investigating a fight between two groups of students last week, he said.

On Wednesday, when the department happened to be shorthanded, police received word that another fight may be occurring.

That prompted Kish to recall nearby officers from SWAT training — and they brought some other officers with them, too.

“We received a tip about a possible fight but fortunately nothing panned out,” Vermilion police Sgt. Stephen Davis said. “There was no gathering of any kind. Nothing occurred.”

Man treated, released after car wreck

CARLISLE TWP. — A man was treated and released from MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland following a crash Wednesday morning at Parsons Road and state Route 301, which is on the border of Carlisle and LaGrange townships.

Patrick Wood, who was taken to Cleveland by helicopter following the accident that happened shortly after 6:30 a.m., was the only one injured in the crash, said Ohio Highway Patrol Trooper Joran Cottom.

He said Wood was heading south on Route 301 in a Ford Focus when the car was hit by an eastbound Chevy Suburban driving on Parsons Road.

The driver of the SUV, 42-year-old Edward Dobos, appears to have run the stop sign at Parsons Road, Cottom said. Dobos was not transported from the scene, he said.

The crash remains under investigation and no citations have been issued, Cottom said.

Crushers support breast cancer charities

AVON — The Lake Erie Crushers are supporting the fight against breast cancer with Friday’s Pack the Park Pink Night.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Kalamazoo Kings. Three dollars from each ticket bought will be donated to breast cancer charities. There will be a pink jersey auction throughout the game.

Light Salon and Spa, 35840 Chester Road, Avon, will be on hand, giving Pack the Park Pink donation coupons to game-goers. Additional coupons will be available at the Light Lounge on the suite level. Any ballpark visitor can bring their Pack the Park Pink coupon to Light before Sept. 30, spend $30 or more on retail purchases, receive 10 percent off and Light will make a $5 donation (up to $500 on or before Sept. 30) to breast cancer charities.

For tickets or more information, go to All Pro Freight Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon, call 934-3636 or visit www.lakeeriecrushers.com.

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