Trustees Corner by Trustee David DePasquale

In September, Sagamore Hills Detectives Victoria Miavitz and Dan Rice handled a missing persons investigation with a new twist. The case was a possible abduction/kidnapping of a Chinese citizen who was renting in Greenwood Village. Over a period of six days, both detectives worked diligently in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to solve this case.

Both detectives followed every lead they could in order to assist the FBI. They talked to numerous people involved with the victim and used a number of electronic devices to give information to the FBI. After using a search warrant on the victim’s residence, they turned over every lead they had to the FBI. Both detectives stayed in contact with federal investigators over the next three days.

The victim was located unharmed in a Dayton, Ohio, area hotel. The victim had been in a “virtual kidnapping” scam. Miavitz attended a detailed four-and-a-half-hour debriefing of the incident at the Akron FBI headquarters.

Police Chief David Hayes felt the investigative skills and diligence to details helped in a successful conclusion to this case. He has commended both detectives on a job well done.

Hayes shared another case that was unusual. Just before Halloween, Macedonia dispatch advised SHPD of a vehicle parked and running on S.R. 82, east of Chaffee Road.

Patrolmen Robert Patterson, Chris Danko, and Ryan Shelby responded to this location at 5:30 a.m. These officers observed a male sleeping in the driver’s seat. The vehicle was running and in park. They were able to wake the man who was from Bedford. They noticed an open bottle of tequila directly under the man’s legs. Patterson reached into the vehicle, removing the keys from the ignition, and placing the bottle on the vehicle roof.

The man was asked to step out of the car and take the standardized field sobriety test. The officers noticed a gun holster on his waistband. The man could barely stand. He was placed under arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and open container. Miavitz and Patrolman Glenn Lucore arrived on the scene to assist.

When this type of arrest is made, an inventory of the vehicle is made prior to towing. Officers found a Glock 21 45-caliber pistol in the glove compartment. The magazine was full with a round in the chamber.

The man was advised that if he took the breath test and failed, he would be suspended for a year. If he refused, it would be a two-year suspension due to a prior OUI in Cleveland in 2017. He refused. He was also booked for improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Hayes commended Officers Shelby, Danko, Lucore, Patterson and Detective Miavitz for handling a bad stop in such a professional manner. Hayes would like to caution all against drinking and driving this holiday season. Call an Uber or friend or drink in moderation.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ∞