UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — University Heights police have issued warrants for a man after police say he made false reports and induced panic when he called 911 and said a man was “going crazy” on his street.
On June 28 around 7:40 p.m., University Heights police officers received multiple 911 calls reporting that a man was in the 3700 block of Washington Boulevard screaming in the street, flailing his arms, possibly trying to commit suicide and armed with a gun, police said.
Officers and paramedics responded to the scene and determined it was safe to approach. Officers found a 43-year-old Cleveland man sitting on the side of the road. Police said that the man was detained after “not complying with verbal commands.”
During a search of the man and his nearby vehicle, police did not find any firearms.
The man was transported to a nearby hospital for medical services, police said.
After investigating further, police learned that a 38-year-old East Cleveland man had repeatedly reported to 911 that he saw that the man was armed with a handgun and was “going crazy.”
That was the information relayed to responding officers as they approached the 43-year-old man who was sitting on the side of the road.
The East Cleveland man who called 911 initially denied making the call when officers asked and told them the 43-year-old man didn’t have a gun. During a follow-up, the East Cleveland man admitted to calling 911 but then denied reporting that the 43-year-old man had a gun. The next day, the East Cleveland man admitted that he did call 911 and did report that he saw a gun, but that he was mistaken, according to police.
Police said that the East Cleveland man’s actions “directly affected the response of our officers, the circumstances at the scene, and delayed medical care” to the 43-year-old man.
A warrant for the East Cleveland man has been issued for inducing panic, making false alarms and obstructing official businesses. Police said he is not currently in custody.
The June 28 incident is currently under administrative review.
News 5 is not releasing the names of the individuals involved in the incident at this time as the charges are all misdemeanors.
