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Newly Released Video Raises Questions About Cleveland Police in SUV Recovery Case
CLEVELAND – The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered video footage that Cleveland police initially withheld from the public, prompting speculation about their reasoning.
Recent releases show police body camera footage recorded after two SUVs were retrieved from the Cuyahoga River. Initial claims from the city suggested the footage would remain inaccessible due to ongoing investigations; however, the content of the video appears to provide minimal insightful information.
The footage depicts the scene long after the vehicles had been removed from the water. It primarily showcases an officer surveying the SUVs, while tow truck operators prepare to take them away. This inactivity has led some to question the necessity of restricting access to the video.
In a related incident, it was reported last week that Cleveland police had prior knowledge of the SUVs in the river for several months but took no action to retrieve them until now.
The video consists of small conversations between personnel present, with one person commenting sarcastically on the condition of the windshield wipers, showing a lack of significant engagement with the vehicles themselves.
According to official reports, both SUVs were identified as stolen, and one is linked to a separate shooting incident. In October, police indicated that the operation to pull the vehicles out was presented as a training exercise for dive teams.
Emails obtained by the I-Team reveal that authorities had been aware of the submerged vehicles since May. One email from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) mentions that the Army Corps was prepared to assist with the recovery operation.
In pursuit of transparency, the I-Team filed a public records request for these communications after weeks of waiting resulted in no release. Subsequently, they filed a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims, leading to the eventual disclosure of the emails.
The emails indicate the police were informed about the submerged vehicles as early as May, with offers from ODNR for assistance in a dive operation. “The Army Corps is looking at sending divers down and having the cars removed,” read one email, indicating a proactive approach from ODNR that was seemingly not matched by Cleveland’s response.
Following this revelation, the I-Team inquired why it took so long to recover the submerged vehicles. Cleveland police explained that their stance was that there was no evidence indicating a crime had been committed at that time.
“The distinction here is if we have information there was someone down there, a body, someone needs some help, you know, the conversation is different,” remarked police spokesperson Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz.
Despite the lack of immediate evidence, critics have pointed out that the presence of vehicles in a river could reasonably indicate circumstances that warrant investigation. The police maintained that they awaited direction from ODNR regarding the recovery operation.
An additional email dated October 7 outlined plans for the “multiple vehicle recovery operation,” which ultimately occurred on October 29, and emphasized a joint effort involving dive teams and a towing company.
Law enforcement from various agencies participated in the recovery, some speculating about potential connections to ongoing cases, such as a teen who has been missing for over a year. However, investigations have since clarified that the SUVs do not relate to the missing persons case.
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