In just five days, two separate Elyria neighborhoods saw heated arguments escalate into pepper spray assaults. Both incidents involved ongoing tensions between neighbors and happened during a stretch of hot summer weather.
Incident 1: Spray Through the Screen
On June 19, Elyria police arrested 45-year-old Thomas Donaghue after he sprayed a neighbor in the face with pepper spray through a mesh screen door during an argument on the 300 block of 12th Street.
According to the police report, the victim had asked Donaghue to stop yelling from his porch while children were playing nearby. When the neighbor approached, Donaghue allegedly sprayed him in the face and walked inside. Officers noted signs of skin and eye irritation, as well as residue on the victim’s glasses consistent with pepper spray.
Donaghue, who appeared intoxicated and admitted to the act, was arrested for assault and taken to Lorain County Jail.
Incident 2: Driveway Dispute Turns Ugly
On June 24, officers were called to the 300 block of 15th Street following a confrontation involving three individuals accused of trespassing and making threats.
The situation began when Carlos Inman allegedly struck a resident’s trash cans while attempting to park near her driveway, an area where tension had been building over blocked access. When the resident confronted him, an argument followed. Moments later, Sarah Inman and Amber Cathey arrived. During the altercation, the resident deployed pepper spray, striking Cathey in the eyes.
Video footage later revealed additional threats. Carlos Inman was allegedly heard saying he would “burn [her] house down,” while Sarah Inman reportedly threatened to send the resident to the hospital.
All three were cited for criminal trespass, and Cathey received an additional citation for menacing.
Rising Heat, Rising Tensions
The two incidents occurred just three blocks apart and within a five-day window, prompting obvious concerns that rising temperatures may be fueling neighborhood conflicts.
As summer continues, we are urging residents to de-escalate conflicts and find peaceful solutions when tempers flare.