Elyria man charged with bringing knife to court

An effort to pay a parking ticket has left an Elyria man in even more hot water Oct. 11 after police say he tried to carry a knife into Elyria Municipal Court.

Jeffrey Thomas Sr., 50, was attempting to enter the court, 601 Broad St., but repeatedly set the metal detector off at the door, according an Elyria police report.

The bailiff on duty asked Thomas to empty his pockets and double check if he was wearing any metal jewelry, the report said.

After attempting to enter once more and setting the alarm off, the bailiff used the wand metal detector and located a black folding pocket knife in Thomas’ back right pocket, according to the report.

The report makes note there are many signs leading into the court stating weapons are prohibited and it appeared that Thomas was being deceptive about possession of the knife.

For this reason, the Elyria police were called to the scene, the report said.

When officers arrived and spoke to Thomas, he said he always carries the knife and forgot he had it, according to the report.

Thomas told officers he couldn’t feel the knife as he was checking his pockets because his pants were baggy, the report said.

Police then arrested Thomas and charged him with conveyance of a deadly weapon or ordinance into courthouse.

Thomas was jailed on a $2,500 bond. He will appear in Elyria Municipal Court at 2 p.m. Oct. 17 for a preliminary hearing.

Thomas