Cats thrown from car at 70 mph
Lorain, OH (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2005
County: Lorain

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Derik Wilhelm

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

A part-time Castalia police officer has been charged with throwing two kittens out the window of his car while heading toward Lorain at 70 mph.

Derik Wilhelm, 26, Sandusky, who also is a part-time  Erie MetroParks ranger, could face an additional charge of cruelty to animals in the city of Lorain, where he is accused of throwing another kitten into oncoming traffic, according to Capt. Paul Sigsworth with the  Erie County Sheriff's office.

One kitten, found without serious injuries, was picked up by a passing motorist in Lorain and brought to a nearby veterinary clinic, Sigsworth said.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers searched a stretch of Ohio 2 for kittens Tuesday but did not locate any.

Sigsworth said the sheriff's office received a call late Tuesday morning from a driver heading east on Ohio 2, who reported seeing the driver in front of them throw two kittens out the window and into the median near the Huron River Bridge.

The call initially was turned over to the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Sandusky post, but they had no troopers near the scene, Sigsworth said. About 30-45 minutes later, the same witness called back and said the car had stopped at a business in the city of Lorain.

The car left before a Lorain police cruiser could get there, however, and the witness called back soon after to report he had seen the driver throw another kitten out his window on Tower Boulevard in Lorain, Sigsworth stated.

A Lorain officer allegedly stopped the car off Tower Boulevard and identified the driver and sole occupant of the suspect vehicle as Wilhelm, Sigsworth stated. Statements also were taken from witnesses in the vehicle that had followed and reported the driver.

Wilhelm is charged with two counts of cruelty to animals and abandoning animals, both second-degree misdemeanors, following an interview with deputies at the Erie County Sheriff's office.

Wilhelm is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in Huron Municipal Court.

If convicted, Wilhelm could face a maximum of 90 days in jail and $750 in fines on each charge.

Erie MetroParks officials stated Wilhelm was hired as a part-time ranger about six months ago. Castalia police Chief Ken Majoy statedWednesday he had just learned of the charges against Wilhelm, and that no departmental action would be taken until his court case is closed.

To contact the prosecutor about this case, asking for vigorous prosecution:

The Honorable Lee McDermond Jr.
Prosecutor, Huron Municipal Court
417 Main St., P.O. Box 468
Huron, OH 44839
 
Castalia Village Police Department
126 Main Street, Castalia, OH 44824
(419) 684-5644 

Case Updates

References

• - May 19, 2005

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