Montville Police Department

08/31/2026

🚨 R**E ARREST MADE FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION INVOLVING 12-YEAR-OLD RUNAWAY

On Friday, August 14, 2026, officers from the Montville Police Department were dispatched to a Montville Township Hotel in an effort to locate a 12-year-old female runaway from Willowick - Ohio.

Through the course of the investigation, officers learned that Jayden C. Fox, 21, of Palatka, Florida, had met the juvenile online and had traveled to the Willowick area from Fort Bragg, where he was on a four-day leave from the United States Army. Fox had traveled to the area to meet the juvenile and pick her up.

The juvenile was located inside a hotel room rented by Fox. Her cell phone had been tracked to the area.

Investigators reunited the juvenile with her family, and through information obtained while on scene, Fox was taken into custody and charged with Felony (F1) R**e.

Fox remains in the Medina County Jail on a $2 million bond.

This is a lengthy and ongoing investigation, and investigators continue to pursue all available leads and evidence. Additional charges are anticipated as the investigation progresses.

The Montville Police Department is working closely with Medina County Prosecutor S. Forrest Thompson’s Office and other agencies and resources to ensure this case is thoroughly investigated and that all appropriate charges are pursued.

While we cannot provide additional details at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and the age of the victim, we are grateful that our officers were able to locate this young woman and safely reunite her with her family.

An arrest is not a determination of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

08/31/2026

🚨 BURGLARY ARREST — MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP (Medina County)

The Montville Police Department has arrested a Lakewood man in connection with the burglary of a Montville Township residence and the theft of a firearm.

On Thursday, July 23, officers responded to a residence for a reported natural death. Following the investigation, a private, third-party contracted body transport company was contacted by the funeral home to remove the deceased from the residence.

The following day, the family contacted the Montville Police Department after discovering that the residence had been entered and a firearm had been stolen.

The same officers who had responded to the original call began investigating the burglary.

During the investigation, officers utilized several available investigative resources, including Flock license plate reader information, security camera footage from a neighboring property, and follow-up interviews. Investigators determined that a vehicle associated with the private body transport service had returned to the area approximately two hours after the deceased had been removed from the residence. The vehicle was then captured several minutes later by Flock cameras leaving the area.

Investigators identified the suspect as Leonardo Gonzalez, 44, of Lakewood, who was employed by the private company contracted to transport the deceased.

During subsequent interviews, Gonzalez admitted to returning to the residence, breaking into the home, and stealing the firearm. Gonzalez subsequently turned the firearm over to investigators. Investigators were also aware that Gonzalez had previously commented about the firearm while at the residence during the original body removal.

Following the investigation, Gonzalez was indicted by a Medina County Grand Jury on charges of Burglary, a third-degree felony (F3), and Grand Theft involving a firearm, a third-degree felony (F3).

Gonzalez was taken into custody last week and transported to the Medina County Jail. His bond was set at $50,000, 10% cash or surety, and he was subsequently released on bond.

This is a crime we do not see often in Montville Township, and we are proud of the work our officers put into identifying the person responsible. This investigation is also a good example of why having multiple investigative resources available to our officers matters. License plate reader information, security camera footage, traditional police work, and interviews each played a role in developing the case.

We also appreciate the cooperation of our community members who maintain security camera systems and assist law enforcement when those systems capture information relevant to an investigation. Their cooperation can be invaluable in helping our officers solve crimes while also protecting the privacy and security of our residents.

Our officers will continue to follow the evidence and utilize every lawful investigative resource available to them when a crime occurs in our community.

The charges against Gonzalez are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

08/11/2026

The Medina Community Citizens Police Academy, a partnership of Medina City, Montville and Medina Township Police Departments, is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our Fall 2026 Session! The 16th Session of the Medina Community Citizens Police Academy will be 12 weeks in length and held every Wednesday night from 6:30-9:30 pm. Classes will begin on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026 and conclude on December 9th, 2026.

The Citizens Police Academy provides the opportunity for the public to get an in-depth view of police work, though it is not intended to train individuals to become a police officer. Some topics to be covered include: Use of Force, Community Orientated Policing, Accident Investigation, OVI Detection and Enforcement, Police K9’s, Judicial Processes and Court, Police Drones, and Decision-Making scenarios.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and will be subject to a background check. The Citizens Police Academy is completely free; however, we do ask that all applicants that register commit to attending all weeks of the Academy. Medina County residents will be given first priority in filling this upcoming class. If you are interested in learning more about your local police departments and how they operate and train to protect our communities, please fill out the application at following link:

A partnership between: - Medina Police Department - Medina Township Police Department - Montville Police Department ** CLASS BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2026 AT 6:30PM AT MONTVILLE PD**

08/03/2026

08/02/2026

7:45pm UPDATE: THE ROADWAY IS NOW OPEN.
Wadsworth Road (SR57) is closed just south of the north split of River Styx Road, (north of the River Styx Market), due to a serious crash.
We anticipate the road being closed for several hours. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route.

07/31/2026

🚨 Stay Informed. Stay Safe. Sign Up for Medina County Emergency Alerts! 🚨
Medina County Emergency Management Agency has changed to a new vendor for the emergency notification system.
If you previously signed up to receive emergency alerts through WENS, you will need to register again in the new Regroup system to continue receiving alerts.
By signing up for Medina County Emergency Alerts (MCEA), you'll receive timely notifications about emergencies that may affect you and your family. Alerts can be delivered by:
📱 Text Message
📞 Phone Call
📧 Email
Whether it's severe weather, hazardous conditions, evacuations, road closures, or other emergencies, these alerts provide critical information and instructions to help keep you safe. You can also customize the types of notifications you'd like to receive.
✅ Free to sign up
✅ Your information is kept private and will never be shared or sold
✅ Available to all Medina County residents and business owners
Don't wait for an emergency to happen. Take a few minutes today to make sure you're connected and receiving the alerts that matter most.
Register today:https://www.medinacountyema.org/services/medina-county-emergency-alerts/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTZLSNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTh0dWJrME5WZGgzNGV2bkJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeJ0OcPS73gWkJiIrXv8WYqr7YrLEYw8rxDeqkB-lIxQAIeTjokfMxZTp5uvQ_aem_JarAB_tJkwqKZlCfhDNHQg

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with your family, friends, and neighbors throughout Medina County. A few minutes today could make all the difference during an emergency.

07/08/2026

It has taken several days to try to find the right words. Even now, we're not sure those words exist.

The members of the Montville Township Police Department extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Rittman community on the unimaginable loss of Sergeant Scott Ries, and to the families of Christine and McKinley McWilliams during this time of profound grief.

This tragedy has touched all of Northeast Ohio. For us, it is especially personal. Several members of our department had the privilege of knowing Scott as a friend and colleague, having worked alongside him over the years. We grieve with the Rittman Police Department, the City of Rittman, the Ries family, and everyone whose lives have been forever changed by this senseless act of violence.

Our prayers also remain with the McWilliams family as they mourn the heartbreaking loss of Christine and McKinley. No family should ever have to endure such pain.

We are thankful for the recovery of K-9 Vic and continue to pray for the healing of all the officers who were wounded in the exchange of gunfire. That includes one of our own Montville Township Police officers, who was wounded, during the gunfire, while serving as a member of the Medina-Wayne County SWAT Team during the incident. We are grateful that each of the injured officers is on the road to recovery, and we are incredibly thankful for their courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

Every time a police officer answers a call for service, there is uncertainty. We never truly know what awaits us on the other side of the radio. Any call—no matter how routine it may initially seem—has the potential to become dangerous in an instant. Yet, despite that reality, our officers continue to answer those calls with courage, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to serve and protect the communities that have placed their trust in us.

As our brothers and sisters in blue throughout Northeast Ohio mourn the loss of Sergeant Scott Ries and prepare to honor his life and sacrifice, we are reminded of the extraordinary bond shared by those who wear the badge. We stand together in grief, in strength, and in support of one another.

To our community, thank you. Your prayers, your encouragement, and your unwavering support mean more than words can express. Please continue to keep the Ries family, the McWilliams family, the Rittman Police Department, all of the injured officers, K-9 Vic, and every first responder affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

We will never forget Sergeant Scott Ries' service, his sacrifice, or the example he set for others.

End of Watch.

06/25/2026

9:35 UPDATE: The crash has been cleared and the roadway is now open. A press release regarding the crash will be issued this afternoon.
6:16am: Wadsworth Road (State Route 57) is closed north of Poe Road - over the I-71 bridge - due to a serious crash. We anticipate the road being closed for several hours.

05/08/2026

If you were one of the unfortunate motorists who was temporarily delayed at the intersection of Wadsworth and Poe Roads earlier this afternoon, please be thankful that you didn't encounter the alternative. A unique set of circumstances caused the contents of a commercial dump truck to shift, forcing the rear gate to open. Various sized pieces of concrete and a thick, concrete slurry was deposited in both lanes south of the intersection. Within minutes, members of the Montville Township Police and Service Departments were working to control traffic and remove the debris from the roadway. An engine from the Medina Fire Department was used to rinse the remaining residue from the roadway so traffic could safely pass in a north/south direction on Wadsworth Road. Many thanks to all involved for their rapid response and teamwork to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.