Violent crime reduction initiative in Cincinnati leads to arrests for strangulation, assault
As part of a violent crime reduction initiative in Cincinnati on Oct. 14, partnering law enforcement agencies made multiple felony arrests, including a man accused of assaulting a police officer, a suspect with warrants for strangulation and a teenager allegedly found illegally in possession of a firearm.
This multi-agency operation was part of a sustained violent crime reduction initiative in Cincinnati launched by Governor Mike DeWine and Mayor Aftab Pureval last month.
At approximately 8:07 p.m., a Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) officer and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) trooper conducted a traffic stop on Gest Street in Queensgate after observing a red 2014 Ford Focus fail to use a turn signal at a traffic light.
While interacting with the driver of the vehicle, officers identified him as 27-year-old Tyrekis Mitchem, who was wanted on two felony strangulation warrants, two misdemeanor warrants and three traffic warrants.
Mitchem was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
There were three passengers in the vehicle at the time of his arrest, including two children. A legal guardian took possession of the children at the scene.
At approximately 8:45 p.m., CPD and OSHP responded to West Corry Street following reports of an unknown individual allegedly assaulting a police officer.
While driving to the scene, law enforcement saw an individual walking in the 2800 block of Short Vine Street meeting the suspect’s description. Officers and troopers approached the individual and gave him verbal commands to stop. He allegedly refused and fled on foot.
After additional verbal commands to stop were ignored, a taser was deployed, and the suspect was arrested. The 15-year-old was allegedly found to be illegally possessing a firearm, which law enforcement recovered at the scene.
The teen was charged with illegally carrying a firearm and resisting arrest, but it was determined that he was not connected to the earlier assault of a police officer.
As the investigation into the police officer's assault continued, OSHP Aviation located a man hiding behind a residence in the vicinity of the assault. The individual's location was relayed to officers on the ground, and a short foot pursuit ensued.
James Wooten, 37, was ultimately arrested and charged in connection to the police officer's assault. He was also charged with robbery and resisting arrest.
“These operations are part of a united, statewide effort by trained law enforcement officers to remove violent criminals and illegal firearms from our streets,” said Governor DeWine. “The results of yesterday's joint operation speak for themselves, proving the strength of our ongoing partnerships and our dedication to holding criminals accountable.”
In total, partners made three felony arrests, confiscated one illegally possessed firearm, served two outstanding felony warrants and made one drug seizure.
“These statistics reflect violent crimes that have been prevented in our city,” said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. “Law enforcement will not sit idly by and allow these criminals to endanger our neighborhoods and communities.”
The agencies involved in this initiative include the Cincinnati Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
At the direction of Governor DeWine, the state has supported similar operations across the state in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Youngstown, and Dayton. The data-driven initiatives involve strategically deploying state, local, and federal law enforcement teams on select dates to focus on high-crime areas with repeat violent offenders.