An Elyria woman was arrested Tuesday, March 4, after striking a vehicle with a piece of metal during a dispute connected to a vehicle purchase.
Officers were dispatched around 4:21 p.m. to the 1000 block of Barbara Street for a reported disturbance. When officers arrived, they spoke with a person at the scene and began investigating what had happened.
Police say the situation began when Kiyania McCullum, 20, went to the location to confront someone she knew through mutual acquaintances about a vehicle she had recently purchased and was not satisfied with. The person she intended to confront left the scene before officers arrived.
After the individual left, McCullum became upset and picked up a piece of black metal. She then struck a parked 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee several times, causing dents, scratches, and other visible damage to the vehicle.
The owner of the Jeep recorded the incident on video and showed the footage to officers at the scene. The video was later submitted as evidence.
The vehicle owner told officers they wanted to pursue charges for the damage. McCullum was taken into custody without incident.
She was charged with criminal damaging under Ohio Revised Code 2909.06, a second-degree misdemeanor, and transported to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Jail to await a court appearance or the posting of bond.
McCullum was also trespassed from the property where the incident occurred.
The owner of the Jeep later met with an officer at the Elyria Police Department and signed an affidavit requesting the criminal damaging charge in the presence of a supervising officer. The victim was also provided information about their rights under Ohio’s Marsy’s Law.
Details about the vehicle McCullum had purchased, including what specifically led to her dissatisfaction, were not included in the available information. It is also not known whether the dispute over that vehicle has resulted in any civil complaint or legal action.
The identity of the person who sold the vehicle to McCullum is not known at this time.