Lakewood Police Grand Theft Auto Chase Terminated

[Richard Baker]

I read that Lakewood was involved in a car chase for Grand Theft vehicle. A male caller at 7:35 p.m. on June 13, Edgewater Driver reported that a female stole his credit cards, keys, and vehicle. Lakewood officer spotted the vehicle on W. 117th Street and briefly gave pursuit at a speed of about 60 mph. However, officers lost the vehicle on W. 105 Street and terminated the pursuit, according to a police event report. The Cleveland Police Department was notified.

Perhaps the city should rethink the next purchases for the police department vehicles. The Chevrolet Spark, comes to mind, it will reach 115 mph, that's 55 mph faster than a Lakewood Police officer is capable of driving chasing a felony theft suspect. The taxpayers will save $22,000 a vehicle, the cost for fuel will be cut 1/3 and the emissions for a "all green power government" will be closer to reality. It's understandable why the chase was terminated, W 105 street is straight, almost a mile long, between two "T" intersections and one cross street, making it difficult to see the stolen car in broad daylight.

Terminating the chase does protect the public, which is good risk managment, and it keeps the paper work down. However it advertises that Grand Theft Auto in Lakewood is no problem, drive it like you stole it, which you did, head for Cleveland, pick any residential street, exceed 60 mph, and your escape is guaranteed.

[ryan costa]

Remote controlled aerial drones are pretty affordable. Even with multiple cameras. The police can just follow the car around discretely until it stops.

[Richard Baker]

"Remote controlled aerial drones are pretty affordable. Even with multiple cameras. The police can just follow the car around discretely until it stops."

The City bought a drone to see the storm drain outfalls but could not use it. After the fact, as usual, they discovered, like a commercial business, the City's drone operator was required to have Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. I seriously doubt can police officers can be trained drone pilot and gain enough experience to follow a car while adhering to all FAA flight rules.