Men Charged with Theft from Bradley Road Home

An observant neighbor tipped off Westlake police Thursday afternoon when he saw two men inside a vacant Bradley Road garage.

Officers arrived to investigate the situation and found Thomas Cempel, 47, of Port Clinton, and William Cook, 45, of Lakewood at the home.

Cempel told officers that he and Cook met a man in a bar who asked them to clean up the old furniture and scrap metal in the home. Cook told police that they might have met in a bar, or the offer could have been made by phone.

Police checked the men's pickup truck and found that it was loaded with ductowrk and utility piping. They also found ductwork stacked by the door inside the house. Officers also discovered that the same house had metal awning stolen earlier in the week.

Both men are in and face charges of breaking and entering, possessing criminal tools and misdemeanor theft. Cook is also charged with possession of marijuana.

Police will continue to investigate what happened to the home.