ELYRIA — A dispute over a parking spot escalated into a criminal case Wednesday after police say a man displayed a knife during a confrontation outside the Salvation Army on Broad Street.
According to an Elyria Police report, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Broad Street around 1:21 p.m. on March 25 for a reported menacing incident. The situation had already been reported to Salvation Army staff, who advised calling police.
When officers arrived, they were told a man had been outside with a knife, at one point holding it with the blade exposed and waving it while also recording with his phone. A witness also provided photos showing the knife extended, according to the report.
Police identified the suspect as Robert F. Gibson Jr., 44, of Elyria.
According to the report, the incident began as a dispute over a parking space. Gibson told officers he had recently undergone surgery and had a four-inch incision above his groin, and said he was waiting for a ride outside the Salvation Army. He stated he had placed belongings on the sidewalk and asked others to park farther away because he could not move them.
Gibson told officers the situation escalated when another individual approached him aggressively. He said he identified himself as a “black belt,” claimed he had a knife, and would defend himself. He told police he pulled out the knife because he felt threatened by the other person’s tone, body language, and statements.
The report states that during the encounter, Gibson was seen holding the knife in one hand while using his phone in the other.
Officers advised Gibson of his Miranda rights, which he said he understood. He was then taken into custody without further incident.
During a search following the arrest, officers reported finding a metal pipe with steel wool inside Gibson’s pocket. Police identified the item as drug paraphernalia.
Gibson was charged with aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor under Ohio law, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
A folding pocket knife and the metal pipe were collected as evidence, according to the report.
Gibson was transported to the Lorain County Jail. Jail records show he was booked later that night and held on a total bond of $1,250. He was scheduled to appear in Elyria Municipal Court on March 26.