Solon Police Reports: Online Art Scam, Shoplifting Warning, Loaded Gun Arrest, Car Break-ins, and Domestic Violence Incidents

SOLON, Ohio – The Solon Police Department responded to a wide variety of criminal activity, ranging from digital fraud schemes to weapons and domestic violence arrests. Solon Police Reports Reveal GroupMe Art Project Fraud A 24-year-old Solon woman contacted the Solon Police Department to report falling victim to an online fraud scheme on May 18 at 7:56 a.m.. The victim stated she received a message on the "GroupMe" messaging application from an individual she believed she knew. The sender recruited her to participate in an unspecified art project. Although details regarding the project were limited, the victim agreed to participate under the impression that she would receive financial compensation. The victim subsequently received digital checks, which she deposited directly into her bank account. Following the deposits, she was instructed to send funds to unknown individuals utilizing prepaid gift cards and the Zelle banking application. While full details remain limited due to an ongoing police investigation, authorities confirmed the victim suffered a financial loss of at least $900. Shoplifting Incident Leads to Criminal Trespass Warning at Local Market On May 20 at 2:06 p.m., Solon police officers responded to a report of shoplifting at Miles Farmer’s Market, located at 28560 Miles Road. Store management informed responding officers that a 67-year-old female customer from Solon had concealed approximately $26 worth of prepared sushi products inside a bag while shopping. The customer proceeded to the checkout counter and paid for several other items, but failed to pay for the sushi concealed in her bag. Management discovered the unpaid items when they attempted to place her purchased goods into the same bag at the cash register. Officers issued the woman a fourth-degree misdemeanor (M4) Criminal Trespass warning and advised her that she is permanently banned from returning to the business. No formal criminal charges were filed in connection with the incident. Traffic Stop for Window Tint Yields Loaded Firearm and Narcotics A routine traffic stop conducted by a Solon police officer on May 22 at 10:29 pm resulted in weapons and drug charges at the True North gas station located at 6170 SOM Center Road. The officer initially stopped a white Chevy sedan for a suspected window tint violation as the vehicle pulled into the gas station parking lot. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer detected the distinct odor of marijuana emanating from the interior. When questioned by the officer, the driver denied that any firearms were inside the vehicle. A passenger in the vehicle gave an identical response when asked. The officer instructed the driver and three male passengers to step out of the Chevy so a vehicle search could be performed. During a physical pat-down of one passenger, the individual admitted to the officer that a gun was indeed inside the car. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a loaded semi-automatic pistol, an open bottle of tequila, and four marijuana "blunts". The passenger, a 24-year-old male from Cleveland, was arrested and transported to the Solon Jail. He was charged with Improper Handling of a Firearm, a second-degree misdemeanor (M2). The marijuana and alcohol were confiscated as evidence. The 26-year-old driver from Euclid, a 31-year-old passenger from Willoughby, and a 28-year-old passenger from Garfield Heights were all released from the scene without charges. Serial Vehicle Break-Ins Reported Across Aurora Road and Solon Park Apartments Solon police are continuing to investigate a string of vehicle break-ins that occurred during the early morning hours of May 24. The first incident was reported at 2:28 a.m. by a 51-year-old Solon resident living on Aurora Road. The victim reported that someone had broken the passenger-side window of his vehicle, which was parked outside in his single-family home's driveway. The homeowner observed an unknown man inside his car and immediately pressed the "lock button" on his key fob. The car alarm response caused the suspect to flee the scene on foot. Responding officers searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect. The victim reported a loss of approximately $20.00 that had been left inside the vehicle. Later that morning, at approximately 8:30 a.m., a second report was filed regarding a vehicle with a broken window at the Solon Park Apartments. A 19-year-old Solon resident reported that he had parked his Dodge Charger at the apartment complex at approximately 12:30 a.m.. When he returned to the vehicle at 8:30 a.m., he discovered the driver's side window had been smashed and the interior had been rummaged through. It was initially unknown if any property was stolen. While on the scene at the Solon Park Apartments, police discovered six additional parked vehicles that had also sustained broken windows. The owners of those vehicles were unable to immediately determine if any property