Displaying items by tag: akron police

Akron Police detectives are looking for a man they say tried to rob the KeyBank on South Main Street in Akron Friday afternoon. 

According to the report, the suspect (pictured) walked in demanding money from a deller. When the teller did not comply with the suspect's demands, he reportedly tried to grab cash from a customer inside the bank. His second attempt at robbery was unsuccessful.  Before fleeing the scene, witnesses say the man threatened to kill everyone inside the bank.

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police. 

Akron Police are investigating a robbery and attempted robbery they say are connected. 

Both incidents happened in the same area along Fourth Avenue Monday and both involved pizza delivery drivers. 

According to the APD report, a Domino's Pizza delivery driver flagged down an officer at about noon Monday in the 1100 block of 4th Avenue. The victim told police that he drove up to a vacant home and tried to call the number on the order ticket. While making that call, the victim says he was approached by two men, one of whom pulled a gun demanding his money and the food. 

That driver described the suspects as two black males between 16 and 18-years-old. 

The second incident was an attempted robbery at the same location around 7 p.m., but this time a driver for Papa John's pulled out his own gun when he was approached by three black males who came from behind the vacant home.

Police say no shots were fired and that the suspects, who the victim says were between 15 and 18-years-old, took off running. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police. 

The Summit County Medical Examiner has identified Wednesday's homicide victim who was shot at Eastland and Bethany Avenues Wednesday as 27-year-old Tiffany Rhea from Akron.

According to the Akron Police report, Rhea and an unidentified suspect got into a a verbal altercation near the intersection of Eastland Avenue and Bethany Avenue.

Rhea got out of the passenger's seat of her boyfriend's car, the argument escalated, and then the suspect pulled a gun, firing several shots before fleeing the scene. It is unclear whether the suspect was on foot or in another vehicle; it was only reported that they left in an "unknown direction." 

Police responded to the area of the shooting at about 4:15 p.m. Upon arrival, police noticed several shell casings and blood, but the victim was not there. They are reporting that the Rhea's boyfriend, who has not been named, took her to Akron City Hospital where she later died. 

The cause of death is listed as a gunshot wound the the torso.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting to come forward.

Akron Police are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and another injured Wednesday night along Noah Avenue. 

About 11:30 p.m. Wednesday police responded to the 700 block of Noah on multiple calls about shots fired. There, they found two men inside a car that had crashed into the front porch of a home, both of whom had been shot.

According to the report, the 20-year-old victim was outside of a nearby home when another car drove by and several people from inside the car opened fire. The 20-year-old man was hit several times before he got in his car and tried to drive away, only crashing that car into a neighbor's home. He was pronounced dead on the scene while another man, a 24-year-old, was shot, suffering non-life-threatening injuries. 

Witnesses described the shooters as black males wearing black clothing, but it's unclear how many there were inside the suspect vehicle. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police. 

Update: Akron Police have identified the suspect as 19-year-old Elijah Cade of Akron. He is listed in critical condition at Akron General Hospital. 

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Akron Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting early Tuesday morning at Manchester Road and Kenmore Boulevard. 

Just about 12:23 a.m., police officers tried to stop a car along Manchester Road near Russell Avenue. The driver didn't stop, leading police on a short chase before crashing his car just thirty seconds later, according to the report.

When officers approached the vechile, the suspect made what police described as "furtive movements," leading to officers open fire on the suspect who was later transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

Police have not released an identification on the man nor the officers involved, but reports are the suspect is a 19-year-old male. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

Akron Police are investigating two robberies of pizza delivery drivers within an hour and just a few miles of one another Sunday night into Monday morning. 

A Dominos driver was robbed of cash by two suspects, one who had a gun, along Power Street around 11:40 Sunday night.

About 50 minutes later, at 12:30 a.m., three men robbed the second driver on Huber street.

The latest incidents make 8 total pizza delivery drivers that have been robbed in Akron in the past three months.

Akron Police say a 27-year-old man is under arrest in connection to the shooting death of his uncle over the weekend. 

On Saturday, November 30th, police were called to home in the 800 block of Cordova Avenue, where they found the victim, 64-year-old Melvin Peters. He had been shot in the back and was pronounced dead on the scene shortly after EMS arrived. 

According to APD, Donnell Lawson, the victim's nephew, confessed to the shooting. 

Lawson is now charged with aggravated murder. 

Gordon Banks Jr., 19, of Akron is facing charges connected to a Snapchat meet-up that turned into an armed robbery.

Back on November 11th, Brooks and the victim arranged to meet so that one of them could buy a THC cartridge from the other. That's when Brooks pulled a gun and stole the victim's cellphones.

Brooks is charged with Aggravated Robbery.

Akron Police were called to a local business in the 700 block of South Canton Road Thursday morning, around 4:30, about a suspicious vehicle.

When officers arrived, they found car parked behind the building with the engine running, the headlights on, and the front passenger door open. Inside the car, was 37-year-old Michael Lee, asleep, and with a loaded gun, in plain view, on the back seat of the car. Then police found another loaded rifle and drugs, which Lee admitted were his.

Lee was arrested, and is charged with Carrying Concealed Weapon, Having Weapons under Disability, Improperly Handling Firearm in Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Drugs. 

Akron Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident involving a bicyclist from early Tuesday morning. 

According to the report, police responded to the intersection of South Broadway and East Exchange Streets for an accident involving injuries. There, they found a bicyclist that was hit by a car that reportedly jumped the curb, hit the man on the bicycle, and continued off the road into a parked car. 

The cyclist was taken to Akron General Hospital where he died. His name has not been released yet. 

The driver, only identified as a 50-year-old male, was taken to Summa Akron City Hospital with minor injuries. 

The investigation into the crash is ongoing and no charges have been filed yet, but investigators do believe that alcohol was a factor. 

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Coley Richardson.

Richardson is wanted by the United States Marshals Service, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, and the Akron Police Department on charges of Aggravated Murder for the shooting death of Nickole Coleman on June 13, 2019. Richardson, 42, is a black male, standing approximately 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 165 pounds. Richardson’s last known address is near the 1000 block of Silvercrest Avenue, Akron, Ohio. He is believed to be hiding in the Akron area.

Richardson is to be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information in reference to Coley Richardson, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

The special investigative unit of the Akron Police that was formed in February of this year and designed specifically to investigate cold case sexual assaults, is getting more federal money courtesy of the US Department of Justice.

According to a press release from the City of Akron (see below), the Akron Sexual Assault Kit Initiative is getting $1.9 Million over the course of the next three years. The money will be spread out across the Akron Police Department, Summit County Prosecutor's Office, Victim Assistance Program of Summit County, and the Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit.

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(CITY OF AKRON) The Akron Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (ASAKI) Team is growing!  ASAKI, a multi-disciplinary, community response team that formed in February 2019 to investigate and prosecute cold case sexual assaults, has been awarded a second grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to enhance the team and expand its impact. 

In 2018, the Akron Police Department (APD) was awarded an initial 3-year grant (2019-2021) for nearly $1 million that provided the personnel, supplies, technology, and management systems necessary to form and support the ASAKI team.  That funding created three new detective positions, a civilian administrative position, and supported new case management software as well as the partial costs of a Summit County prosecutor and a victim assistance advocate who work with the investigators on the team.

Now, the City of Akron is proud to announce that ASAKI will receive an additional $1,980,292 over three years (2020-2022) to enhance the team.  The grant will fund additional community partner personnel, adding a research and evaluation component, and expanding evidence-based, trauma-informed investigation training for all members of the APD Investigative Subdivision.

 New funding for current members of ASAKI includes:

·        Akron Police Department: $73,953 for overtime for detectives

·        Summit County Prosecutor’s Office: $645,109 for a full-time prosecutor and paralegal

·        Victim Assistance Program of Summit County: $263,835 for 1.5 full-time victim advocates (which makes 2 full-time advocates when combined with the 2018 funding) and partial funding for a supervisor

·        Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties: $535,262 for 2 full-time victim advocates and a victim therapist

“This grant will help continue the difficult work of investigating these cold cases, convicting rapists, and potentially preventing future sexual assaults,” Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said.  “This new resource will provide my office with the tools needed to prosecute more offenders and assist my mission of keeping Summit County safe.”

This new funding also allows APD to add two new partners to the ASAKI team who will assist with the ultimate goal of cultural and institutional change in the way law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the community responds to sexual assaults.

ASAKI is partnering with the researchers from the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at Case Western Reserve University’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. The CWRU research team will receive $425,000 to collect and analyze information on the sexual assaults to better understand offending patterns and how to help improve our jurisdiction’s response to sexual assault.

“By working in collaboration with APD, we can help change how sexual assaults are handled in the criminal justice system and how the system and society view sexual assaults, victims, and offenders,” said Rachel Lovell, PhD, the lead researcher on the project. 

APD is also partnering with Dr. Patrick Palmieri of the Summa Health Traumatic Stress Center which will receive $20,000. ASAKI team members are trained in Trauma Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Prosecution and Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview (FETI).  Dr. Palmieri will work with them to develop a customized and condensed evidence-based training on trauma-informed investigation that will be provided to APD’s entire Investigative Subdivision.

“This training not only improves the experience for survivors and witnesses experiencing trauma, but also improves investigations as a whole by yielding better information that can be used to pursue justice in these cases,” Akron Police Chief Ken Ball said.  

For more information about the work of the ASAKI team, please visit www.sakitta.org/akron.

U.S. Marshals, along with the help of several local law enforcement agenices, were able to catch up with and arrest 63 people, all who were wanted fugitives. 

Below is the full press release from the Marshals office: 

Akron, Ohio –U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball and Summit County Sheriff Stephen Barry announce the conclusion the Rubber City Roundup, which was conducted in Akron last week.

The Rubber City Roundup was a Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task led multiagency warrant initiative conducted in Akron from Sept. 16 – 20. In total, the task force arrested 63 wanted fugitives who were wanted for crimes of sexual assault, assault, burglary, narcotic offenses, weapons offenses and failure to register as a sex offender. The task force also seized 5 firearms: 3 rifles and 2 handguns. The fugitive task force targeted fugitives wanted in and around the Akron area for violent crimes. Task force divisions from the Canton and Cleveland areas assisted in the operation.

Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball stated, “The goal of this warrant operation was to show a strong law enforcement presence and arrest as many violent fugitives as possible. Last week, all law enforcement agencies involved demonstrated commitment to keeping Akron a safe place by arresting over 60 fugitives.”

Summit County Sheriff Steve Barry added, “We are proud of not only these arrests by the NOVFTF, but of the efforts they put forth every day to take violent people off the streets!”

Participating Agencies for the Summer Sweep Operation: United States Marshals Service, Akron Police Department, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Tallmadge Police Department, Norton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Copley Police Department, University of Akron Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Ohio State Patrol, North Canton Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, New Philadelphia Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Stark County Sheriffs, Cleveland Police Department, and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department

In the wake of recent severe weather that's caused damage in and around the Greater Akron area, Akron Police are warning residents to be cautious of bogus contractors offering deals on home repairs.

The Better Business Bureau has a list of tips for homeowners, advising first and foremost to do your research. 

See that full list below: 

- Contact your insurance company- ask about your policy coverage and filing requirements

- Do your research- get references and check to see if they are licensed

- Resist high-pressure sales- they will try to sell you on a “good deal” if you hire them on the spot

- Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors- ask for identification and see if their vehicle has the business name and phone number to verify if they are legitimate

- Don’t sign over insurance checks to the contractor- get an invoice and pay them directly

- Be wary regarding places you can’t see- unethical contractors may create damage to get work

Additional information can be found on the Better Business Bureau website at bbb.org

Akron Police arrested a Texas couple who they say set up another man and kidnapped him in an effort to get money.

According to the report, the victim met his friend, Nicole Gaither, 47, at a bar along Arlington Street Saturday night. After some drinks the victim left around 1 a.m. Sunday morning, and was met by the female suspect's husband, Ronnie Gaither, 50, who pulled a gun and kidnapped the male victim.

Police were notified by the victim's brother around 7 a.m. Sunday after he told them he received messages demanding money, presumably from the Gaithers. About 1 p.m. Sunday, police found the victim, unharmed, at a home along East Tuscarawas Avenue in Barberton.

The Gaithers were arrested, charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and abduction.

Update: Akron Police have arrested Snow's 37-year-old daughter Jennifer Clark (pictured below) in connection to last Friday's theft/dog attack at the Acme on East Avenue. Clark is charged with Aggravated Robbery. 

Police add that now both dogs that were unleashed on the Acme store employee are in custody of the Summit County Animal Control. 

Akron Police Detectives have arrested the woman they say stole a cart full of groceries from the Acme Fresh Market on East Avenue Friday afternoon, and then sicced her dogs on a store employee who followed her out to the parking lot.

Linda Snow, 64, of Norton was arrested Tuesday and is charged with Aggravated Robbery and not controlling her dog.

One of the dogs in question was at her home when police arrived and is now in custory of Summit Animal Control.

Akron Police say two people were shot after an altercation between two people Sunday night just outside of Firestone Community Learning Center. One person was killed. 

The shooting happened near the corner of North Hawkins Avenue and Berendo Avenue around 9 p.m. after the fight escalated, and others became involved. That's when police are reporting that unknown suspects fired shots into the crowd of people. 

When Police arrived on the scene they found two people shot, a 20-year-old male who was pronounced dead on the scene and a 17-year-old male who was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. 

There's been no suspect information released, nor have the identities of the victims been released yet. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490; or 330-375-2Tip, or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. You can also text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous.

Akron Police have identified one suspect and are looking for help finding two more in connection to a Monday night robbery along Grant Street.

According to the report, around 10:40, the victim and his girlfriend were walking in the 700 block of Grant Street when a group of three young men struck up a conversation with them. One of the men pulled out a gun, while another punched the victim and took his wallet. The group then fled the scene.

So far a warrant has been issued for 18-year-old Na'Poleon Hardiman (pictured) of Beardsley Street in Akron. Another suspect was described as a young black male, between 14 and 16 years old. There was a third suspect, but not much of a description was provided.

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police Detectives at 330-375-2TIP (2490). 

Akron Police responded to Oakdale Avenue on a call of a man who was shot around 1 o'clock Monday afternoon.

There, they found the victim, a 23-year-old man, with a gunshot wound to the foot. He was taken to Cleveland Clinic akron General with non-life threatening injuries. 

According to the APD report, the victim and suspect were arguing over a woman when the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Jermarray C. Morrow (pitcured) of North Arlington St. in Akron, pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the foot. 

An arrest warrant for felonious assault has been issued for Morrow, who police say should be considered armed and dangerous. 

He's listed at 6 feet, 5 inches tall, 300 pounds. 

Anyone with information on Morrow is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490; or 330-375-2Tip, or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. You can also text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous.

Akron Police are investigating after shots were fired into a home on Weeks Street near the corner of 7th Avenue; the same home outside of which Joel "Joey" Wells, the 31-year-old brother of former Ohio State and Garfield High School running back Chris "Beanie" Wells, was shot and killed. 

The most recent incident happened early Sunday morning, around 4 a.m., according to The Akron Beacon Journal. In addition to that home, a car that was either parked in the driveway or garage, and a neighbor's house were hit with bullets. 

Police are reporting that witnesses said the suspect, or suspects, fired shots from a white, four-door vehicle. No other information has been released. 

Meanwhile, Akron Police are still investigating the shooting on the morning of Thursday, July 18th, just at about 8 a.m., when Joel Wells was shot in the head and killed. Reports are that Wells stopped by a friend's home on the way to drop his daughter off at preschool to change her diaper. He went inside the home and put his daughter down, then went back out to the car to get the diaper bag when he was shot. 

A vehicle description was provided to police from that shooting, detailing a black Jeep Wrangler. No suspects have been identified. 

Since the shooting, Beanie Wells has posted a $15,000 reward, matching that of local law law enforcement and Crimstoppers.

Akron Police tell local news outlets that there is more than likely a connection between the two shootings. 

Akron Police have named a suspect in the deadly shooting along Silvercrest Avenue Thursday evening, just before 8 o'clock.

According to the report, police say a woman was shot in the head while sitting in the front seat of a car in the 1000 block of Silvercrest. That witness told detectives that the victim and another woman who was driving were there to meet a man, who has been identified as 42-year-old Coley Richardson of Silvercrest Avenue (pictured). 

The witness says Richardson got into the back seat of the car and then shot the victim in the head, after which he ran from the scene. 

Richardson hasn't been caught yet. Akron Police say he's armed and dangerous.

The victim has not been identified yet, pending an autopsy and notification to the family, according to the Medical Examiner. 

Anyone with information about Coley Richardson’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490; or 330-375- 2Tip, or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. You can also text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous.

The suspect in last week's shooting outside of a Summit Lake convenience store is this week's Fugitive of the Week.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is now looking for 24-year-old Eugene Wells, who is wanted for the murder of Walter Matthews Junior, who was shot and killed in broad daylight on Monday, June 3rd.

Wells is a black male, standing approximately 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 165 pounds. His last known address is near the 100 block of Fulton Street, Akron, Ohio.

Wells is to be considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information in reference to Eugene Wells, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

Akron Police are looking for help finding a woman they say assaulted and robbed her elderly grandfather. According to the report, about 8 o'clock Monday night, the suspect, 28-year-old Leandrea Wright tried to get her 86-year-old grandfather's wallet from him. He fought back, she pushed him to the ground, and then took off with the wallet and the $39 inside. Charges of domestic violence and robbery have been filed against Wright, who was last seen leaving her home on Bellows Street in Akron.

Akron Police, U.S. Marhals, and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force are looking for the public's help finding this week's Fugitive of the Week, 26-year-old Chris Johnson. 

According to a press release, Johnson is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and APD for the murder of Brandon Belleville back on September 19, 2017. 

No details related to the murder have been released, but Johnson (pictured) has been described as a black male, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, around 230 pounds, with a last known address in the 1300 block of Andrus Street in Akron. 

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Johnson is asked to call the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

An Akron Police Motorcycle Officer was seriously injured when he was pinned underneath the van of a suspected drunk driver after a crash Saturday night. 

According to the APD report, the officer was on his motorcycle and was attempting to stop another vehicle at the intersection of South Portage Path and Bloomfield Avenue, when Corrie Sharpe, 65, who was driving her minivan eastbound on Bloomfield, failed to yield to the officer. She collided with the officer's motorcycle, sending him off the bike and pinning him underneath her van. 

The officer was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital with serious injuries. Other officers responding to the scene conducted a field sobriety test and gave Sharpe a breathalyzer, both of which she reportedly failed. The report states that her blood alcohol content registered at .125; the legal limit in Ohio is .08. Sharpe was arrested and charged with OVI, Aggravated Vehicular Assault, and Child Endangering, as her 11-year-old granddaughter was reportedly in the back seat of her van. 

As of Sunday morning, the officer involved in the accident was still listed in serious condition. 

An Akron Police cruiser that was escorting a funeral procession along Darrow Road, just a block from the Newcomer Funeral Home, was hit by another driver, according to police.

The officer had to be extracted from the cruiser, and was taken to Akron City Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The other driver, a 21-year-old woman, had minor injuries, and was cited for several violations, including driving under a suspended license.

See the full release from the Akron Police Department below: 

(APD) Accident involving cruiser doing a funeral escort:

Shortly before 2:00pm this afternoon, an officer in a marked cruiser was doing a funeral escort for the Newcomer Funeral Home, located at 131 North Canton Road.  As the procession drove north bound on Darrow Road, about a block north of the funeral home, the cruiser was struck by a Chevy Malibu driven by a 21 year old female from Dudley Street in Akron.  The officer was confined, due to the damage of the cruiser.  The officer was removed from the cruiser and transported to Akron City Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The 21 year old female driver and her passenger where transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General with non-life threatening injuries.  The driver was cited for left turn approaching traffic, driving on a suspended driver’s license, and right of way for a funeral procession.  The driver also had a warrant for driving on s suspended license from Copley Police Department.

Akron Police are looking for two, rather brazen theives, who stole an ATM from the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott at 41 Furnace Street downtown Sunday night.

The masked men ordered a hotel employee to lay down on the ground, then rolled the ATM out the front door and into an navy blue older model Jeep.

The employee didn't quite follow the thieves' direction, and immediately called 911. Too late, though, as the robbers had already driven off by the time police arrived. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police or the Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS.

An 18-year-old man was robbed of his cellphone in broad daylight Monday afternoon, around 3:30 at the intersection of Kenmore Boulevard and 13th Street Southwest.

The victim told Akron Police that a man walked up behind him, put him in a chokehold and slammed him to the ground, before taking off with the phone.

See more from the Akron Police below: 

(APD) Around 3:30pm yesterday afternoon, officers responded to a robbery at the intersection of Kenmore Boulevard and 13th Street SW.  The victim, an 18 year old male, reported the suspect approached him from behind and put him in a choke hold.  The suspect then threw the victim to the ground and stole the victim’s cell phone.  The suspect fled eastbound on Kenmore Boulevard.

The victim was not injured.

The suspect is a white male, 20 – 30 years old, 5’11”, thin, with blonde or strawberry blonde hair, and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and white shoes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490; or 330-375-2TIP, or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS.  You can also text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637 (Crimes).  Callers can remain anonymous.

On Wednesday afternoon, Akron Police Officers responded to a call of a woman overdosing at a gas station on Mogadore Road about noon, according to the report. When they arrived, they found the woman passed out in the front passenger seat of a Buick and an 11 month old baby boy in the back seat.

Paramedics responded to the scene, reviving the woman with narcan, and then transporting her to Akron City.

While police were still there, the child's father, 29-year-old Andrew C. Carter of Mogadore, was arrested when he returned to the car. He's been booked into the Summit County Jail on felony child endangering charges. The baby, meanwhile, is in the custody of Child Services.

The woman later told police they'd bought Fentanyl along Manchester Road.  

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(APD) Around noon yesterday, officers responded to an overdose at a gas station in the 2500 block of Mogadore Road.  When officers arrived, they observed an unresponsive female in the front seat of a 1998 Buick Century.  Officers then observed the female’s 11 month old son in the back seat of the car.  While paramedics were administering Narcan to the female, the male driver came over to the car.

Paramedics revived the female and transported her to Akron City Hospital for further treatment.  The adult male, Andrew C. Carter, 29, of Herbert Street in Mogadore, was charged with child endangering and booked into the Summit County Jail.  The child was placed into the custody of the Summit County Child Services.

The female stated they bought Fentanyl on Manchester Road.

Tuesday afternoon a man walked into the PNC Bank at 181 Massillon Road, armed with a knife, demanding money. He jumped the counter and proceeded down the line of tellers, taking money from each of the cash drawers and stuffing it into a backpack he was wearing on his chest. 

After the robbery, the suspect got into a black Chevy Malibu and drove away from the bank. 

Not too long after the robbery, Akron Police Officers spotted the Malibu pulling into a parking lot in the 500 block of Sherman Street. That's when they arrested 22-year-old Darrion L. Powers (pictured) of Akron, who is now charged with armed robbery and more. 

Addiitonally, Police Detectives charged Powers in connection to the January 4th robbery of the Huntington Bank on South Arlington Street. Both robberies played out the same. 

Powers has been booked in the Summit County Jail, and according to Akron Police Lt. Rick Edwards' press release, he's likely responsible for several other robberies in Cuyahoga Falls. So far he's charged with two counts of aggravated robbery. 

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has announced changes to the process for recruiting police, fire, and EMS, including an increase in the maximum age for new hires.

As of Monday, the maximum age to be hired as a police officer is up from 35 to 40, while the max age to be hired as a firefighters is now 35, up from 31. Also on Monday, thanks to funding from Issue 4, the Akron Police Department is able to host an in-house police academy, opposed to farming out the academy to other departments, including Columbus, as they've done since 2008.

The minimum wage for new recruits has gone up to $26.22 per hour, according to the press release (read below), thus making the job more attractive to young and older cadets. 

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Akron, Ohio, February 4, 2019 – Today, Mayor Horrigan is announcing several changes to the process for recruiting police officers and firefighter/medics, including increasing the maximum age for new hires and bringing the police academy back in-house.

“As a city, we are competing for qualified candidates for public safety positions, and I am committed to attracting and retaining the most qualified, diverse, and dedicated personnel to Akron,” Mayor Horrigan said. “These changes are designed to widen and deepen the pool of potential candidates and make the process more accessible.”

First, the Department of Human Resources will be increasing the maximum hiring age for an Akron police officer to 40 years of age (from 35), and the maximum hiring age for an Akron firefighter/medic to 35 years of age (from 31). 

“Expanding the age range for qualified candidates will help us recruit individuals who may be pursuing a second career or who have recently retired from the military,” Akron Police Chief Ken Ball said. “More mature applicants are likely to have an increased sense of purpose, greater life experiences and deeper community ties that can help them succeed in serving our neighborhoods.”

In addition to expanding eligibility, the City will once again be hosting a Peace Officer Basic Training Academy for new police recruits. 

Due to funding restraints, the City stopped holding an internal police academy in 2008.   Instead, for several years the City sent new recruits to Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) academies hosted by other agencies. New recruits would not be formally hired or receive a paycheck from the City until after they graduated with their OPOTA certification (approximately 24 weeks). The financial burden of this unpaid training period discouraged or prevented some recruits from pursuing a career as an Akron police officer.

“We knew that a lack of an internal police academy was negatively impacting our ability to recruit qualified, diverse candidates,” Mayor Horrigan said. “We knew we had to do something. Thankfully, the funds provided by Issue 4 will help us once again host a police academy and compensate our new recruits appropriately.” Now, new APD recruits will be hired by the City and paid a starting wage of $26.22/hour from the first day of the training academy. 

The next entrance exam for Akron police officers is slated for April 2019.  The next entrance exam for Akron firefighters will likely be held this fall. 

“Making these changes demonstrates that we are serious about building public safety forces that better reflect the diversity of our community,” Council President Margo Sommerville said.  “I look forward to working with the administration to continue to improve our recruiting strategies and policies to compete for the best candidates available.”  

Akron Police are investigating one attempted robbery and another actual robbery, both committed Friday night within a couple of hours of one another and within just about 5 miles of one another, too. 

First, just after 7 o'clock Friday night, a man wearing a ski mask walked into Two Monk's Brewery Company at 352 Massillon Road. Walking toward the bar, and motioning to his waistband like he was pulling out a knife, demanded money. That's when the bar owner pulled a handgun and the suspect fled. 

Later Friday, at about 9:30, a suspect walked into Italo's at 1910 Brown Street, jumped the counter, and actually pulled a knife, demanding money from the register. In the second robbery, the suspect did get away with an undisclosed amount of cash. 

According to the police report, though, APD says that during the second robbery the suspect dropped the knife inside the restaurant. 

It's hard to get a spot-on description, given the suspect was wearing a mask in both incidents, but APD has released a description of a black male, between 18 and 23, wearing a black mask, all black clothing, standing between 5'10" and 6'. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police at 330-375-2490. 

Akron Police homicide detectives are investigating a deadly shooting Tuesday night near the intersection of Clark and Black Streets.

The call came in around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday about a man shot. When officers and EMS arrived, they found the 37-year-old victim unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the thorax area.

He was transported to Akron City where he died shortly afterwords, around 10:20 p.m. No ID on the victim yet, but the Summit County Medical Examiner says once next-of-kin is notified they will be providing an update. 

Akron Police are investigating yet another robbery that happened during a planned sale of a cellphone. 

The latest case was from Wednesday night around 8, when a 43-year-old man who drove to a public business along South Arlington Street to meet the seller of a cellphone he'd seen through an ad on Facebook. 

The victim met the seller inside, inspected the phone, and laid cash on the counter. That's when the suspect, identified as Dwayne A. Nixon, 18, of Triplett Boulevard in Akron, took off with both the phone and the cash. 

The victim immediately called police and officers, with the help of K9 officers, were able to track down Nixon and arrest him. He's been charged with two counts of theft and more, and booked into Summit County Jail. 

This is the ninth case in recent weeks of someone being robbed during a meeting that was arranged through social media, but Akron Police aren't saying whether Nixon was involved in any of the previous thefts. 

Akron Police, now, are offering tips to anyone who is looking to purchase a cellphone, or anything else, through social media: 

• Review the buyer or seller’s profile before agreeing to meet.

• Communicate with the buyer or seller through the social media site only.

• Choose carefully where you agree to meet.

• Select a location that is a public place, well lit, surveillance cameras, and a large amount of traffic.

• Never agree to meet at their residence and don’t invite people to your residence.

• If you agree to meet them at a public place, take a family member or friend. Never go alone.

Akron Police are warning residents to be cautious when buying or selling things online, as there's been a rash of robberies during recent meet-ups in the city.

Since December 30th, Akron Police says there have been eight robberies involving victims meeting someone they met through social media trying to buy or sell things like cellphones, tablets, or other electronics.

Detectives have narrowed down the recent thefts to a certain part of Akron around Donald, Virginia, Barbara, and Sylvan Avenues.

APD says internet buyers and sellers are welcome to plan meet-ups in front of the police station to make it safer for everyone.

See the full release from the Akron Police Department below: 

The Akron Police Department is investigating multiple thefts and robberies involving individuals using social media sites to buy and sell items in the Akron area.

Officers have taken eight police reports since December 30, 2018 involving the theft/robbery of individuals trying to sell cell phones or other electronics in the Hillwood Homes area of Akron. The streets mostly involved are: Donald Avenue, Virginia Avenue, Barbara Avenue, and Sylvan Avenue. The thefts and robberies appear to be committed by several people, possibly a group working together. The victims have reported they listed a cell phone or electronic device or want to buy a cell phone or electronic device on social media sites. The victims then agreed to meet the potential buyer/seller at a location of the suspect’s choice. When the victim arrives, they are met by the buyer/seller, who is on foot. The suspect asked to see the phone or electronic device or the cash. The suspect then grabs the phone or cash and runs away. During the most recent incident the suspect acted like he was reaching for a handgun; however, no gun was seen.

The suspects are black males in their late teens to early twenties.

(Akron Police) A reward of up to $10,000.00 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible for the bank robbery at the Huntington Bank, located at 1411 South Arlington Street. 

Around 12:30pm this afternoon, the Huntington Bank was robbed. The employees reported the suspect entered the bank, jumped over the teller counter, and demanded money. The suspect, armed with a knife, took an unreported amount of cash from two tellers and fled out the rear door of the bank. He was last seen jumping over a fence into the back yards of the Rosemary Apartments. He was then seen getting into a black, 4-door vehicle. 

The suspect is a black male, 20–25 years old, 5’11”–6’01”, 150–170 lbs., and was wearing a black ski mask, a black wind breaker jacket, all black clothing, purple latex gloves, and carrying a black backpack with red strings. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490; or 330-375-2TIP, the FBI at 330-535-6156, the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4-WANTED; or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. You can also text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous. If you see the suspect, consider him ARMED and DANGEROUS. Do not approach; call 911.

Update: Wednesday afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Randy Fitzgerald on a traffic stop on Route 8 in Macedonia.

The task force was assisted by officers from Boston Heights, the Summit Count Sheriff's Office and the Macedonia Police Department.

Although several tips were submitted on this case, the arrest was not a result of a tip.

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The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is looking for Randy Fitzgerald, of Akron, who is this week's Fugitive of the Week.

U.S. Marshals and Akron Police are reporting that Fitzgerald is wanted for Weapons Under Disability in connection to an incident that left a small child shot in the stomach.

Back on May 20th, three children, ages 8,9 and 12, were left alone in a home on Marcy Street, when one of those children found one a gun, believed to belong to Fitzgerald, and shot another child in the stomach. The child lived. In the home, responding officers found another gun, drugs, and body armor. A warrant was issued for Fitzgerald who has been on the run since.

Anyone with information regarding Randy Fitzgerald, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847-411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

There are still a few days left in the year, but Akron Police have released homicide and gun-related incident statistics for 2018, with a slight dip in the former.

So far this year, there have been 37 homicides in Akron; that's five fewer than last year. That said, there have been more non-homicide shootings in the city. As of Thursday, Police in Akron say there were 417 reported shootings not resulting in a death; 30 less than the same period of time in 2017.

APD adds that throughout the year, 798 guns were recovered or seized in Akron, averaging out to about 2 per day.

See more on the report from the Akron Beacon Journal. 

UPDATE: Akron Police say Calvin T. Hunter turned himself in Friday evening, and has been charged with felony theft in connection to the Monday, December 10th theft of roughly $1,000 worth of toys that were meant for the "Toys for Tots" campaign in Akron. 

The day of the theft, Hunter posed as a volunteer at the First Faith Development building on Easter Avenue, and walked away with the donated toys.

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Akron Police Detectives have signed a warrant for felony theft on Calvin T. Hunter (pictured), 46, of Akron. 

There is no last known address for Hunter, who police say signed up as a volunteer for the USMC "Toys for Tots" campaign at the First Faith Development - Toys for Tots building at 790 Easter Avenue on Monday. 

Throughout the day, Hunter was observed on surveillance camera taking more than $1,000 worth of toys out the back door and loading them into a vehicle. He left with them later Monday. 

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Akron Police are investigating a theft of about $5,000 worth of toys that were supposed to be donated to families in need for the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign.

According to a press release from USMC Staff Sergeant Phillip Greer, the theives posed as volunteers and were taking higher end toys, bikes, and more out the back door of the First Faith Development Corporation building on Easter Avenue in Akron Monday night.

They were caught on surveillance video, but haven't been caught yet. Staff Sergeant Greer says that in spite of the loss, they still expect to meet the needs of the more than 15,000 children and families they serve every year.

Anyone with more information, meanwhile, is asked to call Akron Police.

See more details from the full press release below: 

[Akron, OH, December 11] – Last night, people who had volunteered to help count and sort toys collected by the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program stole approximately $5,000 worth of toys. The individuals in question were working to prepare toys for the less fortunate children of Akron. Instead, they began to move toys and bikes to the back door where they then began to remove them without permission. One of the persons managing the warehouse noticed some of the higher value toys missing and investigated. She caught the individuals in the act of removing the toys for their own gain. Those involved then ran off with the toys and bikes.

The loss of the toys will have an impact on the Toys for Tots program’s ability to help the children of Akron. With the program reaching 15,000 registered children, the volunteers are hard at work preparing requests. The Marines involved in the program are working hard to ensure that no child is left without a Christmas this year. The Toys for Tots Coordinator, Staff Sergeant Greer, is confident that his Marines will be able to meet the needs of the community and execute a successful Toys for Tots season for the citizens of Summit County.

The Toys for Tots program is the Marine Corps’ nonprofit agency to provide toys to less fortunate children in local communities across the United States. 

(University of Akron) - More than 100 local youth will team up with police officers representing The University of Akron, Akron City, Copley Township, Fairlawn, Bath Township, Summa Health and the Summit County Sheriff’s Department to enjoy ‘Christmas with a Cop’ this Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Referred by local school districts, these youngsters will have the opportunity to enjoy a ride to Fairlawn in a cruiser, complete with lights and sirens, where they will enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on a $100 shopping spree at the Walmart in Fairlawn.

Officers have been raising money for the event since September by selling raffle tickets.

Officer Pamela Helmick, a 21-year veteran of The University of Akron Police Department, looks forward to the event each year. “Giving back to the community is important, and I am so happy that I get to be part of it,” she said. “It’s wonderful to spend time with the kids and see the excitement this event brings to them.”

While participants are encouraged to shop for gifts for themselves, many often prefer to purchase gifts for family members in need. “It is heartwarming to see how much they want to help their own family,” Helmick said. “We always have some extra gift cards on hand to make sure they can still buy something for themselves.”

Akron Police were called to ManorCare Health Services at 1211 West Market Street on a call of a domestic robbery Tuesday afternoon. 

According to the report, the victim, a 75-year-old man, told police that his son, 38-year-old Kahli Murphy (pictured), showed up to his residence asking for money. When the victim told Murphy that all he could give him was $20, Murphy became aggravated and left. About 10 minutes later, Murphy allegedly returned to the room and physically assaulted his father, choking him, and then took his wallet from his back pocket and ran. 

A short time later, police found Murphy at his house on South Rhodes Avenue, and arrested him on domestic violence and robbery. Murphy was booked in Summit County Jail Tuesday night and was scheduled for a court appearance Wednesday morning, according to police. 

Akron Police are investigating a theft of about $5,000 worth of toys that were supposed to be donated to families in need for the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign.

According to a press release from USMC Staff Sergeant Phillip Greer, the theives posed as volunteers and were taking higher end toys, bikes, and more out the back door of the First Faith Development Corporation building on Easter Avenue in Akron Monday night.

They were caught on surveillance video, but haven't been caught yet. Staff Sergeant Greer says that in spite of the loss, they still expect to meet the needs of the more than 15,000 children and families they serve every year.

Anyone with more information, meanwhile, is asked to call Akron Police.

See more details from the full press release below: 

[Akron, OH, December 11] – Last night, people who had volunteered to help count and sort toys collected by the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program stole approximately $5,000 worth of toys. The individuals in question were working to prepare toys for the less fortunate children of Akron. Instead, they began to move toys and bikes to the back door where they then began to remove them without permission. One of the persons managing the warehouse noticed some of the higher value toys missing and investigated. She caught the individuals in the act of removing the toys for their own gain. Those involved then ran off with the toys and bikes.

The loss of the toys will have an impact on the Toys for Tots program’s ability to help the children of Akron. With the program reaching 15,000 registered children, the volunteers are hard at work preparing requests. The Marines involved in the program are working hard to ensure that no child is left without a Christmas this year. The Toys for Tots Coordinator, Staff Sergeant Greer, is confident that his Marines will be able to meet the needs of the community and execute a successful Toys for Tots season for the citizens of Summit County.

The Toys for Tots program is the Marine Corps’ nonprofit agency to provide toys to less fortunate children in local communities across the United States. 

The Akron Police Department, U.S. Marshals, and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force are asking the public's help finding Coren Harris Sr., who they say is wanted for kidnapping and rape. 

Harris Sr. (pictured) is wanted for the rape of a woman at his last known address on Cuyahoga Street in Akron back in August. 

He's a 43-year-old black male, about 6 foot 1 inch, weighing about 250 pounds. 

Akron Police detectives believe that Harris Sr. is still in or around the Akron area and consider him to be armed and dangerous. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

Three businesses in Akron's Kenmore neighborhood were targets for robbers over the weekend, and Akron Police believe it was one suspect that hit two of them. 

According to the report from APD, a man jumped over the front counter at the Rite Aid at 1047 Kenmore Boulevard Friday morning around 8:30, demanding cash from the register. The employee working refused and the suspect took off running. 

Later Friday evening, around 7, Police say that same Rite Aid was targeted again. According to the report, an employee approached the suspected shoplifter (pictured) who had been seen stuffing items under his shirt. When the employee asked the man to lift up his shirt, he refused while items were falling out of his clothing. The man then attempted to punch an employee while running out the front door, but the door was locked. That's when he pulled out a metal wire and stabbed at the employee's arms, demanding cash. The employee gave him money and he ran out the back door. 

Then Saturday night, around 7:30, the Tansations Tanning Salon at 1262 Kenmore Boulevard targeted by a man who pulled a knife and demanded money. That suspect, believed to be the same man in the second Rite Aid robbery, fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police. 

Akron Police and the Summit County Medical Examiner are investigating a fatal accident from early Monday morning, around 3:30 a.m. at Goodyear Boulevard near Kelly Avenue. 

According to the Medical Examiner's report, four people were riding in a car westbound on Goodyear Boulevard, when the car went off the road and hit a cement wall, eventually bouncing back across the roaod into a light pole and catching fire.

All four inside the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

Late Wednesday night Akron Police responded to a home in the 200 block of Grand Avenue to a call about a shooting in the basement of that home. 

When officers arrived, they found two teenagers, one 15, the other 14-years-old, with gunshot wounds, reportedly to the head. Both teens were transported to Akron General Hospital. Initial reports stated that both teens had died at the hospital. 

On Thursday morning, the Akron Police Department released a statement correcting the information from Wednesday night, saying that the 15-year-old teen was pronounced dead, but despite their report, the other teen was listed in critical condition and is actually alive. 

The APD maintains that their initial report was accurate in that the 15-year-old accidentally shot the younger teen and then turned the gun on himself. The Summit County Medical Examiner has since identified the victim. 

Read the most recent report from Akron Police below: 

The Akron Police Department takes pride in only furnishing accurate information. Last night we received inaccurate information from multiple reliable sources that both teens had died at the hospital. The department would like to apologize to the victims’ families. The department feels terrible for the families of the victims of this tragic event and our thoughts are with them during this difficult times.

Shortly after 7:00pm this evening, officers responded to a shooting in the 200 block of Grand Avenue. Officers arrived and located two teenage males, 14 and 15 years old, with gunshot wounds to their heads. The victims were transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General where the 15 year old was pronounced dead and the 14 year old is listed in critical condition.

Initial reports state the juveniles were in the basement of the house on Grand Avenue. The 15 year old male pulled out a handgun and accidentally fired a shot, striking the 14 year old male in the head. The 15 year old male then turned the gun on himself.

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy.

More lane changes and closures coming to I-76, courtesy of ODOT. 

See the press release from the Akron Police Department below: 

As part of the Interstate 76 and Main Street project, ODOT currently plans to flip the westbound traffic of I-76 over on to the eastbound side on Sunday, December 2nd. 

The on ramp to 76W from the southbound side of S. Main St. will be CLOSED until late fall of 2019. 

For a period of time during the day, the existing off ramp from 76W to Broadway and downtown will close in order for the contractor to do some required paving. Traffic will be detoured using Dart Ave., Thornton and S. Main St. Once this work is completed, traffic will then exit on to the new Broadway off ramp.

UPDATE: Akron Police Detectives have officially charged Danny A. Hamby, 39, of Springfield Township, and Toni Kenney, 31, of Warren, with murder in connection to the death of Samantha Guthrie, 18, of Akron. 

Both Hamby and Kenney are already in Summit County Jail on charges related to Guthrie's disappearance on November 4th, where she was seen at a home in the 300 block of Lillian Street. 

According to the Summit County Medical Examiner, she died from a gunshot wound to the head. 

The Akron Police Department says that the missing person/homicide case is still under investigation. Two others were arrested in the case as well. 

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The Summit County Medical Examiner has positively identified the body that was found in a wooded area along Rex Hill Road in New Franklin early Sunday morning just after midnight as that of missing 18-year-old from Akron, Samantha Guthrie.

The cause of death, according to the report, was a gunshot wound to the head.

Guthrie was last seen November 4th at a home near the Akron Zoo, according to reports, where two people who were arrested say that they were there when she was shot. Akron Police have arrested two others, totalling four people in connection to Guthrie's disappearance.

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Akron Police, along with the New Franklin Police Department and the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office are investigating after woman's body was found just after Midnight Sunday morning in a wooded area near Rox Hill Road in New Franklin. 

The victim's name is being withheld, pending an autopsy that scheduled for Monday. 

Meanwhile a Facebook page dedicated to the search for missing Akron woman, Samantha Guthrie who was last seen at a party at a home near the Akron Zoo on November 4th claims that her body was found as of Sunday morning. No confirmation from Akron Police.

Akron Police detectives are looking for missing 18-year-old Samantha Guthrie, whose mother first reported her missing back on November 5th. News 5 though reports that Guthrie's mother said she turned 18 back in May and left her home. 

According to reports, Guthrie was last seen leaving a home in the 300 block of Lillian Street, and believe that her disappearance is "suspicious." 

Guthrie (pictured) has a tattoo of an owl on her right forearm and a tattoo that reads "Believe" surrounded by a design on her left forearm. 

Anyone with more information on Guthrie's disappearance or whereabouts is asked to the Akron Police. 

Akron Police were called to a home in the 500 block of East South Street, Monday night around 11:30, on a report of a man who was assaulted by his roommate. 

When officers arrived, they found the 59-year-old victim who had been hit in the head with a wrench, allegedly by his roommate, 56-year-old Gary J. Thompson. 

The victim was transported by EMS to Akron City Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the police report. 

Thompson, meanwhile, has been booked into the Summit County Jail on charges of felonious assault. Included in the report was that Thompson attacked his roommate over the volume of the television.