In a recent crackdown on violent crime, Cleveland law enforcement agencies have reported a multi-agency operation that resulted in eight felony arrests and the recovery of six illegal firearms. The operation is part of the ongoing efforts by the state and local authorities to address crime in the area. On Thursday, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and the Cleveland Division of Police, as a part of a violent crime reduction initiative, made significant arrests, including capturing a 17-year-old male connected with a previous mass shooting.
During the operation, an OSHP trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a gray Jeep Cherokee, which led to a pursuit when the driver chose to hastily attempt to flee. The OSHP Aviation Unit picked up from where the ground pursuit left off, enabling officers on the ground to safely discontinue the chase. After their vehicle was stopped, four individuals exited and attempted to evade capture on West 52nd Street. Xavier Baldwin, 21, of Cleveland, was arrested shortly after without incident, and the 17-year-old sought for the September 7 mass shooting was apprehended soon after, according to a report from the Governor of Ohio’s office.
Authorities discovered that the Jeep Cherokee had been stolen, and further investigations at the scene led to the discovery of three illegal firearms, one of which was found in proximity to the aforementioned teenager. This operation highlights the proactive stance that the Governor Mike DeWine and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s administrations have been taking since 2023 in an effort to curb the spread of violent crime in the Cleveland area…