Ohio
Central Ohio car dealerships accused of withholding vehicle titles, altering odometers
Top headlines of the week, Jan. 24 2025
Here are some stories you may have missed on Dispatch.com and in the Columbus Dispatch newspaper.
Two central Ohio auto dealerships are facing civil lawsuits filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office, accusing them of altering odometer readings, failing to turn over titles to dozens of customers who purchased vehicles, and several other consumer protection violations.
The lawsuits — one filed in Franklin County and the other in Delaware County — accuse each dealership of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, the Certificate of Motor Vehicles Act, and the Odometer Rollback and Disclosure Act.
The suit filed in Delaware County Common Pleas Court accuses Johnathan Paul Kirkham, operator of Kirkham’s Starfleet Cars, 525 N Sandusky St. in Delaware city, of failing to properly transfer titles to consumers who bought vehicles from the dealership.
According to Yost, there are 32 title-related complaints in connection with Starfleet, and the state will use $138,135 from the state’s Title Defect Recission Fund to reimburse eligible consumers while the Attorney General’s Office pursues legal action against Kirkham’s.
Way 2 Go Auto Sales, 4660 Cleveland Ave. Columbus, operated by Kofi Bimpeh, is accused of failing to provide vehicle titles, altering odometer readings, and misrepresenting rebuilt salvage vehicles in a lawsuit filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. The Attorney General’s office reports they received 20 complaints related to title issues, misrepresentations about salvage vehicles, return policy issues and odometer discrepancies with vehicles.
Way 2 Go Auto Sales and Kirkham’s Starfleet Cars could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Listed phone numbers for both dealerships appeared to be disconnected.
“Ohioans work hard and deserve to get what they pay for,” Yost said in a prepared release. “Whether it’s a deliberate title delay or outright fraud, my office will pump the breaks on dealership scams.”
smeighan@dispatch.com
@ShahidMeighan
Ohio
Body found during search for missing kayaker
NEW RICHMOND, Ohio (WXIX) – Rescue crews have located a body in their search of the Ohio River for a kayaker who vanished in the water Thursday afternoon, according to the New Richmond Fire and EMS.
Around 12 p.m. Sunday, New Richmond Fire and EMS says they located a body during the search.
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The discovery comes after a 28-year-old man went missing in the Ohio River when a boat flipped around 4 p.m., just off U.S. Route 52 in New Richmond, according to the fire department.
The body was found near Mile Marker 449.1 in the area of the 800 block of Washington Street.
Officials say the scene was immediately turned over to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
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Ohio
At least 12 people shot at an Ohio festival
National News
No suspects were in custody hours afterward, Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said.
Gunfire erupted Saturday near a busy street festival in Ohio, wounding at least 12 people and sending some eventgoers scrambling for cover while others rushed to help the victims.
No suspects were in custody hours afterward, Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said, and officials urged people who were at the festival to come forward with any photos or videos on their phones for possible leads.
The shooting happened near the Old West End Festival, an annual gathering of live music and home tours.
Heffernan said it appeared that at least two people fired weapons and they were “probably shooting at each other.”
Two of the victims were in critical condition, Heffernan added. The ages of the victims ranged from 14 to 61, with most of them in their early 20s.
“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”
Multiple videos posted to social media showed people running amid the sound of gunshots and emergency officials tending to others who appeared wounded.
Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said it was difficult to get to the hospital due to closed roads and traffic from people leaving the festival, but emergency responders were able to transport all patients from the scene within an hour.
Kevin Berry was sitting in the neighborhood arboretum listening to live music with friends when he heard a handful of gunshots ring out.
“Everybody hit the deck,” he said.
When Berry looked back up, he saw a gun being tossed to the ground less than 50 feet (15 meters) away from him. Officers who were already on site for the festival responded immediately.
Berry, who has medical training and served in the Navy, walked around looking for anyone who might need help and saw at least five people with gunshot wounds.
“The folks who were hit were spread out around the arboretum area,” he said.
The Old West End Festival is a two-day celebration in Toledo’s historic district that includes live music, food vendors, home tours and shopping. Berry described it as the “kick-off to Toledo’s summer festival season.”
George Kral, safety director for the city, said officials were discussing with organizers whether it would continue through the weekend.
“This is one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo,” he said, “and it’s a shame that something like this had to ruin it.”
Ohio
Toledo shooting leaves 12 injured, 2 critical at Old West End Festival in Ohio
TOLEDO, Ohio – Twelve people were shot, including two who suffered critical injuries, during a shooting near Toledo’s annual Old West End Festival.
The incident occurred on Saturday (June 6) in Ohio.
Update: Police: Victims in Toledo festival shooting range in age from 14 to 61
Deputy Chief Joseph Heffernan said officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 5:37 p.m. near the popular community festival, which is held annually in Toledo.
Heffernan said police were already in the area when the shooting occurred and responded immediately.
Preliminary information indicates that at least two shooters were involved and may have been firing at one another.
Investigators believe the exchange of gunfire resulted in 12 people being struck by bullets.
“Officers were quick to respond. They were right there when the shots were coming out,” Heffernan said.
Two victims were reported in critical condition, while the conditions of the remaining victims were not immediately available.
Heffernan said police secured the scene and began processing evidence shortly after the shooting.
Officials said they have collected evidence and are actively pursuing leads.
The investigation remains in its early stages, and no suspects have been taken into custody as of Saturday evening.
“We’re still very early in the investigative process,” Heffernan said.
The Old West End Festival is an annual event that draws large crowds to one of Toledo’s historic neighborhoods.
Police said the scene was being dismantled as investigators completed their initial processing, but the investigation remains active.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
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