Violent Crime Reduction Initiative in Cleveland Leads to 16 Felony Arrests, 11 Illegal Firearm Recoveries
(CLEVELAND, Ohio)— As part of a violent crime reduction initiative in Cleveland on October 15, 2025, partnering agencies made 16 felony arrests, including a man facing six felony charges in connection to an incident earlier this month.
This multi-agency operation was part of a sustained violent crime reduction initiative in Cleveland launched by Governor Mike DeWine and Mayor Justin Bibb in 2023.
Suspect Arrested on Six Felony Charges
Around 3:56 p.m., Cleveland Division of Police (CPD) officers and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) troopers conducted a traffic stop in the Corlett neighborhood after linking a red Honda Civic to a suspect, identified as J’Shon Foster, 20, with an outstanding warrant on charges of possession of dangerous ordnance, having weapons while under disability, tampering with evidence, obstructing official business, resisting arrest, and falsification.
Officers and troopers turned on their emergency overhead lights, but the driver failed to stop and fled the area. The OSHP Aviation Unit followed the fleeing vehicle, and ground units terminated the pursuit. Aviation continued to follow the vehicle until it crashed at the intersection of East 112th Street and Revere Avenue. After crashing the vehicle, Foster fled on foot.
Shortly after 4 p.m., Foster was located by CPD officers and was taken into custody without incident. Following his arrest, troopers located an illegally possessed firearm with an extended magazine on the floorboard of Foster’s vehicle (pictured above). Charges in connection to Wednesday’s incident are pending.
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Ohio Investigative Unit Makes 5 Arrests, Seizes Five Unlawfully Possessed Firearms
During Wednesday's initiative, Ohio Investigative Unit agents, who are responsible for enforcing Ohio's alcohol laws, made five felony arrests and seized five illegal firearms.
In one case, agents observed an armed individual trespass onto the premises of a liquor store in the Kinsman neighborhood. Agents approached the armed suspect, who then grabbed his firearm and attempted to flee. After multiple verbal commands to comply were ignored, agents deployed a taser, and the suspect was arrested without further incident.
 Image of five illegally posessed firearms seized by the Ohio Investigative Unit
Fourteen-Year-Old Arrested After Kia Theft
Shortly before 5 p.m., an OSHP trooper attempted to stop a black Kia Forte that was reported stolen on East 153rd Street near Glendale Park. The trooper turned on his emergency overhead lights, but the driver failed to stop and fled from the trooper.
The trooper terminated the pursuit and OSHP's Aviation Unit continued following the Kia until it crashed into another vehicle on Dove Avenue. The suspect fled from the crash on foot but was located by law enforcement and taken into custody.
Following the incident, the vehicle was confirmed to have been stolen, and the suspect was identified as a 14-year-old.
 Image of stolen black Kia (Cleveland Police Department)
“This initiative brings together trained law enforcement officials from across the state to protect the public by removing violent criminals and illegal firearms from our streets,” said Governor DeWine. “This successful operation demonstrates the strength of our long-term, ongoing partnerships and our focus on holding violent offenders responsible for their actions.”
The preliminary total results of Wednesday's violent crime initiative include 16 felony arrests, 11 illegally possessed firearms seized, three stolen vehicles recovered, four drug seizures, and four outstanding felony warrants served.
“These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent a significant number of violent
encounters that were prevented,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Consider this a clear
message to all those who threaten the safety of our city that you will be held accountable.”
The agencies involved in Wednesday's initiative include the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and United States Department of Justice.
At the direction of Governor DeWine, the state has supported similar operations across the state in Cincinnati, 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.
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