Lorain County cops chase stolen Nissan into Westlake, Amherst man arrested

WESTLAKE — A 32-year-old Amherst man was taken into custody Wednesday after leading police in two counties on a chase on Interstate 90 into Westlake, where he threatened to hurt himself with a power drill before a police K-9 helped end a brief standoff. In a Facebook post, the Westlake Police Department said officers got involved when the Lorain County Sheriff's Office reported a stolen black Nissan sedan headed east on I-90 from Lorain County into Cuyahoga County shortly after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Avon police and the State Highway Patrol also were involved in the pursuit, according to what a Chronicle-Telegram reporter saw at the scene. Westlake and Rocky River police officers gave chase after the Nissan exited I-90 at Detroit Road in Rocky River, then got back onto I-90 westbound before exiting again at Crocker Road and stopping in the area of Sonesta Suites at 30100 Clemens Road in Westlake. "The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and held a cordless drill to his head after wrapping it in a towel in an apparent attempt to make it look like a firearm," Westlake police wrote. The man also was smoking suspected illegal drugs while telling officers he wanted to die, according to Westlake police. Officers spoke to the man — a Chronicle photographer a block away heard officers call out to the man with a loudhailer or megaphone — and used drones to keep watch as the Westshore Enforcement Bureau and Lorain County SWAT teams responded. When negotiations for a peaceful surrender failed, a Westlake police K-9 was sent in and took the man into custody with "minimal injury," according to Westlake police. It could not immediately be confirmed if the man was bitten by the police dog, but the Lorain County Sheriff's Office took the man into custody and he was transported to University Hospitals St. John Medical Center in Westlake for treatment. Westlake police said the Lorain County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation and any charges resulting from the alleged stolen car and pursuit. Messages seeking further information on the man's identity and the chase were left for the Sheriff's Office and Avon police. Clemens Road reopened shortly before 4 p.m., according to Westlake police. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com