Police: Man flees from troopers, breaks into woman’s home

A 19-year-old Elyria man is facing charges of fleeing from Ohio Highway Patrol troopers and then forcing his way into a Lorain woman’s home March 12.

Desmond James Lewis, 19, of Sumner Street, is facing charges of obstructing official business, felony aggravated burglary and felony abduction through the Lorain Police Department, according to Lorain Municipal Court records.

Lewis also is facing charges of possession of marijuana and tinted windows through the Highway Patrol, court records indicate.

Troopers initially tried to stop Lewis, who was driving a red Volkswagen, in the area of East 36th Street and Albany Avenue, the report said.

Lewis turned north onto Albany, drove into a yard and fled on foot in a northeast direction, toward the Fulton Homes, according to the report.

Lorain police were contacted at 10:19 a.m. to assist troopers in locating Lewis, whose identity was determined through the Volkswagen’s registration, the report said.

A short time later, officers learned of a male matching Lewis’ description running east across Fulton Road, behind a home on East 31st Street and eventually into a silver four-door vehicle, according to the report.

Officers were unable to locate Lewis at that time. But at 11:11 a.m. the same day, a 59-year-old Lorain woman flagged down an officer to report her home in the 3100 block of Fulton was broken into before she went to church.

The victim said a younger black male wearing a black hat, black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and black and white shoes initially knocked on her back door and asked for a ride, but refused to leave when the woman said no, the report said.

The man, who later was confirmed as Lewis, pulled the door open, grabbed the victim and forced his way into her home, according to the report. The woman said she tried to run, but Lewis pulled her back inside and continued asking for a ride despite her yelling at him to let her go.

After about five to 10 minutes, Lewis opened the front door and ran away, the report said. The woman suffered a minor abrasion to her arm during the incident, but required no medical attention.

Troopers arrested Lewis at his Elyria home, the report said, and then released him to the custody of Lorain officers who confirmed he matched the description of the man who entered the Lorain woman’s home uninvited.

While at the Lorain City Jail, Lewis admitted to running from the troopers and entering the woman’s home, but said he only wanted a ride and was not attempting to hurt her, according to the report.

Court records show Lewis pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary, abduction and obstructing official business at his arraignment March 13. A preliminary hearing is set for March 16.

Lewis