East Cleveland police officer pleads not guilty to theft, aggravated robbery while on duty

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – An East Cleveland police officer indicted on a number of felonies for allegedly stealing from folks whereas on obligation, pleaded not responsible at his arraignment in Cuyahoga County Widespread Pleas Court docket Tuesday morning.

Alfonzo Cole, 34, was indicted on 5 counts of aggravated theft, two counts of grand theft, three counts of theft, 4 counts of theft in workplace and one depend of tampering with data.

In response to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley, Cole and Willie Sims, 31, have been taken into custody on July 9 after an investigation that was sparked by a name from East Cleveland Police Chief Scott Gardner.

Cole and Sims allegedly stole from folks whereas on obligation from July 2020 to July 2021.

• On July 7, 2020, Sims responded to a gasoline station close to Euclid and Shaw Avenues for an individual concerned in a verbal battle with a lady. Sims allegedly stole a gun and cash from the sufferer’s automotive.
• On Sept. 22, 2020, Cole pulled over a driver close to Euclid Avenue and Marloes Avenue and allegedly stole cash and marijuana from the automotive. He then additionally allegedly solid a sergeant’s signature.
• On Nov. 8, 2020, Sims pulled over a driver on Paige Avenue and allegedly eliminated cash from the trunk, belonging to the proprietor of the automotive.
• On June 22, 2021, Cole executed a site visitors cease on Bender Avenue and allegedly cash, marijuana and a gun.
• On June 22, 2021, Cole pulled over an 18-year-old man on Noble Street and allegedly stole a gun and bullets belonging to the driving force’s mom.
• On July 8, 2021, Sims executed a site visitors cease on the identical sufferer from the Nov. 8, 2020 incident and stole cash and marijuana edibles.
• On July 8, 2021, Sims and Cole executed a site visitors cease at a gasoline station positioned close to Euclid Avenue and Superior Street. and allegedly stole cash from the sufferer.

Cuyahoga County Sheriff deputies executed a search warrant at Cole’s home on July 13, 2021 and recovered the weapons from each June 22 site visitors stops, together with with the marijuana edibles, stated Prosecutor O’Malley.

Cole will return to courtroom on Oct. 20.

There isn’t a subsequent courtroom date for Sims.

Each males stay out on bond.