Man, 27, arrested on burglary and drug charges while riding bike in lot

An Elyria man with a warrant out for his arrest was arrested Aug. 8 after being seen riding his bike through the Elyria Police Department parking lot.

Jessie R. Kothe, 27, was arrested at 1:15 a.m. and charged with burglary, a second-degree felony, possession of fentanyl, a fifthdegree felony, receiving stolen property, a first-degree misdemeanor, possessing drug abuse instruments and obstructing official business, both second-degree misdemeanors, criminal trespass and three counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, all fourthdegree misdemeanors, according to an Elyria police report.

Officers were notified at 10 p.m., Aug. 7, that warrants for multiple charges including burglary, were just signed for Kothe and that he was suspected of recently attempting to commit thefts from vehicles in the area of Glenwood and Columbus streets in Elyria.

Officers responded, but could not locate Kothe.

They returned to the Elyria Police Department where they noticed Kothe riding his bicycle through the parking lot despite the signage that states through traffic in the lot is prohibited, the report said.

He then started riding down Lake Avenue where he was pulled over by police near the Furnace Street intersection.

Officers searched Kothe and found fentanyl, a burnt spoon, nine syringes, two utility knives and two folding knives, the report said.

He was arrested and taken to the Lorain County Jail where he will remain pending an appearance in Elyria Municipal Court.

The warrants out for Kothe stemmed from a June 14 burglary.

Officers responded at 1:30 p.m. to the 600 block of Woodland Avenue after an alarm was sounding.

They found the window on a door had been smashed in the area near the door knob and deadbolt.

The owner of the house was out of town at the time and officers did not see any suspects at the scene.

Kothe