Cleveland, OH
New details about woman charged in fatal stabbing outside North Olmsted Giant Eagle
NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WOIO) – We’re learning more about the woman charged with fatally stabbing a three-year-old boy outside a Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted on Monday. According to public records, Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland has not had an extensive criminal history.
“There is nothing that shows that she has any violent tendencies,” said North Olmsted Detective Sergeant Matthew Beck.
On Tuesday, Ellis was charged with the aggravated murder of Julian Wood.
RELATED STORY: Suspect in Giant Eagle stabbing indicted on aggravated murder, murder charges
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Investigators say Ellis stabbed the boy and his mother with a kitchen knife in the parking lot of a Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmsted. They say it appears to be a random attack.
Prior to that, court records show Ellis had been charged with theft at a North Olmsted Walmart in May of last year. Records show Ellis pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of unauthorized use of property and was given a six-month probation.
Judge Brian Hagan at Rocky River Municipal Court oversaw that case and told 19 Investigates that Ellis never completed her required theft education program ― thereby violating her probation. A warrant was then issued for her arrest.
“She was arrested on Thursday at Walmart,” said Detective Sergeant Beck. “A welfare check was done on her and she was found to have that warrant, so she was taken into custody and then she ― upon her release last week ― came back yesterday morning inquiring about some property of hers.”
Judge Hagan also said Ellis had no apparent history of mental health problems at the time ― something investigators now question.
“There is some mental health concerns that we have, but nothing concrete at this point,” said Detective Sergeant Beck.
Records show this past March, Ellis was also charged with criminal trespassing at a hotel in Kissimmee, Florida. According to the complaint, Ellis tried renting a room but didn’t have the funds. When the clerk at the front desk asked her to leave, she refused.
Officials confirm she was jailed for more than a month in Florida before being released. Other than that, Ellis appears to have nothing on her record but a number of traffic violations.
There is a Cleveland woman named Bionca Ellis on Facebook who claims to work at Cuyahoga County’s Department of Job & Family Services. Various people have begun posting derogatory remarks on her page ― making reference to her employment position. But 19 investigates contacted both Cuyahoga County and state officials who confirmed Ellis doesn’t work for job and family services and never has.
As for explaining why she did what she’s now accused of doing?
“There’s no indication as to why she committed this,” said Detective Sergeant Beck. “She wouldn’t speak about anything, she lawyered up.”
We tried contacting Ellis’ potential relatives to learn more about her, but haven’t heard back.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
BROOK PARK, Ohio (WOIO) – A male was shot and killed near the area of West 130th and Holland Road Tuesday.
Police said they got called around 315 p.m. for the shooting.
The shooting is under investigation with no other information available at this time.
Brook Park Police Department will not be releasing any information until on or after Dec. 3, according to Southwest dispatch.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Investigative Unit and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office announced a 45-count Criminal Enterprise indictment in connection with a network of illegally operated bars across Cuyahoga County Tuesday.
The investigation uncovered a scheme in which “straw” owners purchased bars illegally as early as 2019, using illegal proceeds to continue to purchase more bars over a period of several years.
According to a press release from OIU, between 2019 and 2024, illegal were established at the following locations: Boozerz and The Bench Lounge in Euclid; Aura-Iconic and Aries Restaurant & Lounge in Garfield Heights; Night Capz and The Score in Cleveland Heights; and Bar Mayfield in South Euclid.
Investigators said that ownership of several of these businesses were later transferred to individuals with significant criminal histories, who would have been prohibited from being documented owners.
The enterprise generated nearly $4 million in illegal profits.
Investigators said that these proceeds were distributed to members of the enterprise and were used to purchase property and fund considerable personal expenses, entertainment, and leisure activities.
While being operated, these premises became significant public nuisances with frequent shootings, gun crimes, assaults, and disturbances, according to the press release. This placed a strain on local law enforcement resources and prompted numerous complaints from residents near these establishments. During the execution of search warrants in October, OIU agents seized cash, business records, and multiple firearms.
Nine people from northeast Ohio were indicted in the enterprise, including:
Randy Pittman (Age 53, of Macedonia)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (6 counts)
– Grand Theft (4 counts)
– Money Laundering (5 counts)
Sharita Roberts (Age 42, of Newburgh Heights)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (12 counts)
– Grand Theft (4 counts)
– Money Laundering (5 counts)
Rayshawn Duncan (Age 35, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (5 counts)
– Grand Theft (3 counts)
– Money Laundering (2 counts)
Donald King Jr. (Age 43, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (2 counts)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
– Having Weapons Under Disability
Daryel Jones (Age 43, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (2 counts)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
Dewayne Stewart (Age 37, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
Daisha’vu O’Neal (Age 38, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
Tremaine Golston (Age 35, of Cleveland)
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
Jazmyn Barrow-Stover (Age 40, of Solon)
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
In addition to the criminal indictment, 76 Administrative Violations were issued against the liquor permits in use at the involved premises. Those citations will ultimately be heard by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, with possible sanctions including revocation of the liquor permits.
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Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
LORAIN, Ohio (WOIO) – Lorain police say missing mother Desiree Long, 33, has been found safe by the U.S. Marshals in Cleveland.
Long was last seen Oct. 9 and was reported missing Oct. 23.
Lorain police said a U.S. Marshals Task Force found Long Tuesday at an apartment building in Cleveland.
“While there is currently no indication that Ms. Long was the victim of an abduction attempt, the circumstances remain under active investigation,” Lorain Police Cpt. Jacob A. Morris said in a news release.
The 33-year-old woman is now in the Lorain County Jail on unrelated, outstanding warrants, according to police.
The detective leading Long’s case previously told 19 News she was last seen leaving a home and getting into a car near West 29th Street and Oberlin Avenue in Lorain.
It’s unconfirmed if the person behind the wheel was a rideshare driver or someone she knew.
Long’s family offered a $10,000 reward in connection to the case.
The circumstances around Long’s disappearance remain under investigation, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lorain police at 440-204-2105.
“The Lorain Police Department extends its heartfelt gratitude to our law enforcement partners, the media, and, most importantly, the community. The invaluable tips, information, and widespread media coverage played a crucial role in locating Ms. Long safely. Your collective efforts highlight the power of collaboration and community engagement in ensuring public safety.”
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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