Released November 21, 2008

   On November 16, 2008 at approximately 10:51pm Deputy Dan Kohler performed a traffic stop on a 2008 Chrysler 300 that was traveling northbound on Interstate 71 in the area of State Rt. 83 in Harrisville Township. The vehicle was stopped for not having a working license plate light. After observing that the driver, 29 year old Jared A. Shade of Youngstown, Ohio, was acting very nervous and discovering that he had over $1400.00 cash in his pocket, Deputy Kohler had his K9 partner, Casey, sniff the vehicle for an odor of narcotics. Casey alerted on the vehicle by scratching on the doors. While searching the vehicle, a large black trash bag which contained a large bale wrapped in cellophane was located in the trunk. The bale contained marijuana.
    Mr. Shade was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. His rental car was impounded, and the marijuana and over $1500.00 cash in the vehicle and in his possession were confiscated. The bale of marijuana weighed in at over 22 Lbs.

Released May 12, 2008

   On May 07, 2008 at approximately 8:30am, while patrolling the parking lot of TravelCenters of America in Westfield Township, Sgt. James Cartwright noticed a truck driver that looked very nervous and was attempting to look busy, looking through maps, when Sgt. Cartwright drove past. After the truck drove around the parking lot and returned to its original parking space, Sgt. Cartwright approached the truck to talk to the driver. The driver, 28 year old Fabian Casas, of Mission, Texas stated he was delivering a load of produce from Texas to Cleveland, Ohio. When Mr. Casas opened the doors of his trailer, Sgt. Cartwright observed that the tomato boxes in the trailer were leaning against the walls and the top rows of boxes were crushed, as if someone had been crawling over them. After several discrepancies in Mr. Casas's story, Sgt. Cartwright had his K9 partner, Hero, sniff the semi-truck for odors of narcotics. Hero alerted on several areas of the truck. After a search of the truck, four bales of marijuana that were wrapped in several layer of plastic and covered in what appeared to be axle grease and transmission fluid were found in the sleeper area of the tractor. The total weight was 83 pounds. Mr. Casas was then placed under arrest and transported to the Medina County Jail. Deputy Dan Kohler then searched the truck stops in the area, wearing plain clothes. He later located and arrested Mr. Casas's partner, 30 year old Jesus Redding, in the movie room at the Pilot Truck Stop in Westfield Township.
   This was the largest marijuana bust in Medina County Sheriff's Office Road Patrol history.

    On April 20, 2008 at approximately 8:43pm Deputy Dan Kohler stopped a vehicle on I-76 at I-71 for failing to signal a lane change. Deputy Paul Schismenos assisted Deputy Kohler with the traffic stop. As Deputy Kohler escorted the driver of the 1988 Oldsmobile, Jonathan Russ, past his own cruiser, to Deputy Schismenos's cruiser to be written a warning, Deputy Schismenos noticed that Mr. Russ was very hesitant to walk past Deputy Kohler's K9 cruiser. Deputy Schismenos talked with Mr. Russ while writing the warning. When asked why Deputy Kohler's K9 would alert to the odor of drugs in his vehicle, Mr. Russ admitted that there were drugs for personal use in his vehicle that he purchased in Columbus, Ohio while visiting relatives.
    While searching the vehicle, Deputy Schismenos located an Ohio State cooler in the passenger area of the vehicle which contained a bag of marijuana. Also located were handwritten directions to Atlanta, Georgia. While searching the trunk, a black duffel bag on wheels was found which contained woman's clothing. Under the clothing were several more bags containing marijuana. The total weight was 21 pounds. Also seized was $2,600.00 in cash that Jonathan Russ and his wife, Kim Russ, had in their possession.
    Jonathan Russ was arrested for drug abuse and taken to the Medina County Jail. Kim Russ was released. The seized cash and the Russ's vehicle will most likely be forfeited to the Sheriff's Office.

Released May 12, 2008

    On March 12, 2008 at approximately 7:21pm Deputy Dan Kohler stopped a white Chevy stationwagon in the parking lot of the BP gas station on Avon Lake Rd in Harrisville Township for failure to use a turn signal when exiting I-71 and when turning into the gas station. The driver, John Montero of Youngstown, Ohio advised that he and his passenger, Randall Davis, were returning from dropping off his cousin in Columbus, Ohio. Deputy Kohler observed that Mr. Montero's left hand kept shaking while speaking to him and Mr. Davis would not make eye contact with him.
    After learning of a discrepancy with the vehicle registration, Mr. Montero was escorted back to Deputy Samo Mernik's cruiser, who was on scene to assist. Deputy Kohler's K9, Casey, then sniffed the exterior of the vehicle and alerted to the odor of narcotics inside. Mr. Davis was then escorted to and placed in Deputy Mernik's cruiser also.
    While searching Mr. Montero's vehicle, Deputy Kohler located a small burnt marijuana cigar and a small amount of marijuana on the floor. After the search, Deputy Mernik had Mr. Montero remove his shoes. Located inside was one bag of cocaine in each shoe. Mr. Montero then started insisting that they were not his shoes, and that he still had his shoes on. Unfortunately for Mr. Montero, the camera in Deputy Kohler's cruiser was recording Mr. Montero in his socks, without shoes. After transporting Mr. Montero and Mr. Davis to the Medina Couny Jail, a bag of cocaine was found in each of Mr. Davis's shoes also.
    Both subjects were charged with possession of cocaine. Cash that was seized from Mr. Montero totaling $487.00 and Mr. Montero's vehicle will most likely be forfeited to the Sheriff's Office.

Released February 22, 2008

   During the evening hours of February 20, 2008 Deputy Paul Schismenos, of the Medina County Sheriff's Office Drug Interdiction Team, stopped a 1998 Cadillac on Interstate 71 for failing to signal a lane change and assured clear distance (tailgating). Deputy Schismenos observed evidence of marijuana being used inside the vehicle, so Deputy Dan Kohler was summoned to the site of the traffic stop to have his K-9 partner, Casey, sniff the exterior of the vehicle. Casey alerted Deputy Kohler that there were drugs inside the Cadillac. After a search of the vehicle, 40Lbs. of compressed marijuana was found inside two black trash bags that were located in the trunk. There was also marijuana inside the pockets of a coat found inside the vehicle and under the center armrest.
   The driver of the Cadillac provided Deputy Schismenos with a false name and personal information. He was booked into the Medina County Jail and charged with Possession of Marijuana, a 3rd degree Felony.
   After further investigation, the driver was identified as Nigel Shaw Simpson of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Simpson matched a booking photo provided by Columbus P.D. and had a matching tattoo of a marijuana leaf on his arm.

Released February 13, 2008

   In two separate incidents, the Medina County Sheriff's Office Drug Interdiction Team, which was formed approximately a year ago, is continuing its success into 2008.
   On February 08, 2008 in Westfield Township, Deputies Paul Schismenos and Daniel Kohler, along with K-9 Casey, seized 2 lbs. of marijuana with a street value of approximately $1400.00 from a vehicle traveling on Interstate 71.  The male driver was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Tampering With Evidence, both felony offenses.
   On February 12, 2008 Drug Interdiction Team deputies stopped a vehicle on Interstate 71 north of Interstate 76.  As a result of the traffic stop and ensuing investigation, $18,163.00 in cash was seized.  The cash is believed to be the proceeds from drug transactions.  No arrests have been made at this time.  The investigation into this matter continues.

Released August 08, 2007

Two bank robberies have occurred in Medina County in the past two months. On June 11, 2007 the National City Bank in Valley City, Ohio was robbed. On August 08, 2007 the First Merit Bank in the Village of Lodi, Ohio was also robbed. It is believed the same suspect is responsible for both robberies.

The suspect is described as being a white male with a thin build, 5'5"-5'7" tall, 50-60 years old, with an indented or pitted face.
Below are photos of the suspect.

If you have any information or questions, please contact Detective Kevin Ross at (330)725-9116.