Police Blotter - C-Town’s Teams In The News For The Wrong Reasons
What a month of May. The Indians are slowly fading to oblivion. The Cavs finished up their inspired run in the NBA Playoffs that left us counting the days until camp opens(151). The Browns finished the draft and their first organized teams functions of the NFL “Off-Season”. Unfortunitely, all three teams have also made the news for other, less positive reasons. All three have had run-ins with the police, and not for the first time.
Cleveland Cavs - On May 29th Gloria James, the mother of LeBron James, pleaded No Contest and was found guilty of 4 charges, including reckless operation, speeding, disorderly conduct and physical control of a motor vehicle under the influence. The incident occured on January 20th of this year and included Ms. James nearly hitting an unmarked car with her Cadillac Escalade. When the officers pulled her over, she smelled of alcolohol. fought with officers as they tried to arrest her and eventually kicked the window out of a police vehicle. True, this particular event didn’t directly invlove a Cavalier, but when it is the Mom of the most recognized names in sports, it’s news. For her crime, James will have to attend a “alcohol is bad” class and lost her license until January 2007.
Cleveland Browns - On May 24, Browns RB Reuben Droughns turned himself in to Littleton and after spending the night in jail was released on $2500 bail charged with one count of Assault and two counts of Harrassment in an alledged domestic incident on May 12 involving his wife, Kellie. Droughns and his wife apparently had an arguement which escalated into a physical confrontation. He allegedly grabbed her and threw her to the ground and later grabbed her by the waist and threw her on the bed. After telling him she wanted a divorce, Droughns went on to grab her and throw her out the door, causing an arm injury. Kellie called her mom in Texas, who called Police. Droughns was gone when police arrived and took a statement from Kellie. Surprisingly(NOT), Kellie has made several attempts to drop the charges. Earlier this year, Droughns beat a DUI rap in court after being pulled over after a function in Medina Oh. 
The latest happened just today and involved the Indians. Lefty-Reliever Scott Sauerbeck was arrested, hiding in some bushes nonetheless, after fleeing a vehicle the Police were trying to stop for erratic driving. Police began to follow the car after it crossed the center line. The car then turned quickly down a side street and pulled into a driveway where Sauerbeck and the female with him jumped out and fled the vehicle.fled the vehicle. Umm, I think that only works in the movies or on T.V. Anyway, after a short search, officers found the two hiding under some bushes. The female was apparently driving and was charged with DUI. Sauerbeck was charged with a couple on Misdemeanors.
A wild a wooly month indeed for Cleveland’s sports franchises. I would love to know if any other city has seen each of it’s Major Sports franchises involved in Police incidents during the same month or weekend before. Please let me know.
In any case, let’s hope these teams can get into the news for all the right reasons and stay out of the Police Blotter…..
