Westlake Teen Arrested After Accosting Juveniles Near Hilliard Elementary

A 17-year-old Westlake boy was arrested at his home this morning after confronting students who were on their way to Hilliard Elementary School.

According to Westlake police, at 8:05 a.m. a crossing guard on Hilliard Boulevard reported that the suspect was frightening school children as they walked to school. Westlake police officers checked the area; he was not located.

Approximately 20 minutes later, the Hilliard Elementary School principal reported complaints from three students that this male had lunged at them as they walked/biked past him together; he also tried to topple a fourth student bicyclist with his foot. All four evaded the suspect, told the above crossing guard about the incident, and arrived at school safely.  

Westlake Police School School Resource Officers recognized the suspect’s physical and clothing description as matching that of a former Westlake High School student. He was arrested without incident at 11 a.m. 

The suspect is currently in the Westlake City Jail awaiting a decision from the Detention Home as to whether he will be held there or released to family.

Recommended charges could include Disorderly Conduct, Attempted Assault, and Inducing Panic. The last offense incorporates heightened public anxiety over recent suspicious child-stranger contacts in this and other Greater Cleveland communities.     

The final decision on charges will be made by the Juvenile Court.

Westlake Police Captain Guy Turner said it was unlikely the suspect is connected to any other city's suspicious person incidents involving kids; his description is nothing like any other agency's "be on the lookout for" suspects. Nonetheless, Westlake will be sharing our info with other police departments.