Man arrested in assault; victim still in hospital
By Michelle Payne
Rocky River
Published Sept. 28, 2005

Police have arrested the man responsible for assaulting an 86-year-old Rocky River resident after breaking into her Westover Ave. home on Sept. 23.

Matthew Moore, 21, of Cleveland was arrested at Ponciana Ave. and Rocky River Drive Monday evening after police received tips from area residents that connected him to the assault on Bertha Lavelle.

"We received tips through Cleveland," said Lt. Terry Hudec of the Rocky River police department. "The guy has very distinguishing tattoos and we also developed tips through the man arrested with Lavelle's car."

Around 11 a.m. on Friday Lavelle opened the door of her home to find Moore waiting outside. According to police, he forced his way into her residence and beat her with an unknown object. Moore then stole her purse and 2000 Toyota Corolla. Lavelle was taken to Fairview Hospital where she is still recovering from a broken jaw, check and nose.

Moore has a history of drug use and police believe he was looking for drug money when he attacked Lavelle.

"Apparently he took a bus out to Lorain Road, got off at W. 204th Street with the original intent to steal a bike, saw the victim and went from there," said Hudec.

Lavelle's car was recovered Sept. 24 around 5 p.m. in Cleveland after the driver, Jamome Mims of Cleveland, led Cleveland police on a 10 minute chase before crashing the vehicle at E. 77th Place and Union Avenue. Mims tried to flee the scene, but officers apprehended him. An officer and Mims were injured and taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment. Mims was not involved in the assault, but was charged with receiving stolen property. Mims also helped lead police to Moore, but Hudec credits Rocky River Detective Sgt. Carl Gulas for the quick arrest of those involved in the crime.

"Sgt. Gulas worked almost around the clock over the weekend and these people were arrested last night," Hudec said. "He was out pounding the streets all weekend."

Police also arrested Clifford Porter, 28, of Cleveland on Monday night. He is charged with receiving stolen property for having Lavelle's credit card. Porter, who has an extensive criminal background, was not in the house during the attack, but is on probation in Lorain County for a prior charge of receiving stolen property. He was arraigned on Tuesday at Rocky River Municipal Court and is being held on a $500,000 cash bond.

Moore, who is being held on a one million dollars bond, also has an extensive criminal history and was just released from the Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe, Ohio on Aug. 2. Moore spent three years at the facility for charges of drug possession, burglary and theft. There is also a hold on him through the Adult Parole Authority, according to Hudec. Moore was arraigned Tuesday and has been charged with felonious assault, but could face more charges.

"Right now that's it, but there is still an on-going investigation so other charges are possible," he said.