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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
November 7, 2025
*MEDIA CONTACTS:
*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Jill Del Greco: 614-644-0957
Suspect Flees from Traffic Stop with Two Young
Children in Vehicle During Violent Crime
Reduction Initiative in Cleveland
(CLEVELAND, Ohio)— As part of a violent crime reduction initiative in Cleveland on November 6, 2025, partnering agencies seized nine illegally possessed firearms and made a total of 10 felony arrests, including a man who fled from a traffic stop with two young children in the vehicle.
Around 5:35 p.m., Cleveland Division of Police (CPD) officers and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) troopers conducted a traffic stop on Cleveland's east side after observing a white Jeep commit a traffic violation. 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. Shortly thereafter, the suspect, later identified as Javion Griffie, 26, pulled into a gas station, and two young children exited the Jeep.
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Image from OSHP helicopter of two kids being dropped off at a gas station by fleeing driver [ [link removed]. ]
Image from OSHP helicopter showing two children exiting the vehicle of a driver who was fleeing from law enforcement.
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*VIDEO: Driver Leaves Children at Gas Station, Flees Law Enforcement* [ [link removed] ]
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After leaving the gas station, the suspect drove recklessly through the downtown Cleveland area, at one point side-swiping another vehicle. After some time, members of the OSHP’s Special Response Team successfully deployed a tire deflation device. The suspect eventually stopped the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers and officers later found Griffie in a dumpster and took him into custody without further incident.
Authorities later determined that Griffie was wanted on an active misdemeanor warrant, and he was transported to the Cuyahoga County Jail.
The two children who were left at the gas station were transported to the Cleveland Division of Police 3rd District Headquarters where they were released to family members.
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Image of seven illegally possessed guns seized by the Ohio Investigative Unit [ [link removed] ]
Photo of seven illegally possessed firearms confiscated by the Ohio Investigative Unit.
Of last night's 10 arrests, seven were made by agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU), resulting in the seizure of seven illegal firearms.
During one incident, agents approached a suspect who was trespassing at a gas station in downtown Cleveland. While interacting with the suspect, agents discovered the individual was illegally carrying a firearm and ammunition. Agents confiscated the weapon, and the suspect was taken to the Cuyahoga County Jail.
The suspect was later found to have a domestic violence warrant out for his arrest, as well as a substantial criminal history including charges of aggravated robbery, robbery, and domestic violence.
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Screenshot of a firearm on the ground [ [link removed] ]
Screenshot from OSHP body camera showing two guns that were recovered from a suspect who fled a traffic stop.
At approximately 7:17 p.m., troopers conducted a traffic stop on a blue Dodge Challenger Hellcat after observing the driver commit a traffic violation. 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. The suspect, later identified as Tquylin Linder, 23, began driving erratically and eventually struck another vehicle at an intersection.
Linder continued to flee in his vehicle until he turned onto a dead-end street, where he was taken into custody without further incident. Two illegally possessed firearms were recovered from the vehicle, and Linder was taken to the Cuyahoga County Jail.
The agencies involved in yesterday’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.
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