On August 20, 2025, a Cleveland police officer was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) after crashing his car into a pizza shop in North Olmsted, Ohio. The incident has raised concerns about officer conduct and public safety.

Who Is the Officer?

The officer involved is Gary Eugene Kane II, a 9-year veteran of the Cleveland Police Department.

Kane, who works in Cleveland’s 5th District, was off-duty at the time of the incident. According to Ohio Attorney General records, he joined the department in 2015.

Around 2:46 a.m. on August 20, 2025, North Olmsted police responded to a call about a car crashing into Romeo’s Pizza, located at 28931 Lorain Road, near the intersection of Lorain Road and Great Northern Boulevard in North Olmsted, Ohio.

When officers arrived, they found a silver Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Kane, lodged into the north side of the restaurant.

The vehicle was still running and in drive, with music blaring. Officers had to repeatedly ask Kane to put the car in park and turn it off.

At one point, Kane activated the windshield wipers, scattering glass from the shattered restaurant window.

Witness Emron Obbasov, who saw the crash, called 911. “We walk up to the guy, he’s just listening to Drake and vibing in the car. We ask if he’s OK,” Obbasov said. “He was intoxicated, we could kind of tell, so we called North Olmsted PD, and they came out and assessed the situation.”

Police noted signs of impairment, including a strong smell of alcohol, glossy eyes, and slurred speech.

Kane refused a standard field sobriety test and was vague when asked about a blood test, saying, “Take it by hospital,” which officers recorded as a refusal.

He was arrested and charged with misdemeanor counts of OVI and failure to control his vehicle.

The North Olmsted Fire Department evaluated Kane at the scene, and he was later taken to Saint John’s Hospital for further assessment.

Body camera footage revealed additional details: officers found Kane’s Cleveland police badge in his wallet and his police uniform in the back seat of the car, confirming his identity as an officer.

Kane was uncooperative, refusing to answer questions or acknowledge his Miranda rights.

Where Did This Happen?

The crash occurred at Romeo’s Pizza, 28931 Lorain Road, North Olmsted, Ohio, a suburb west of Cleveland.

The restaurant is situated near the busy intersection of Lorain Road and Great Northern Boulevard, close to the Great Northern Mall.

The front window of the pizza shop was shattered, and the building sustained significant damage, though the exact cost is still unknown.

What’s the Latest?

Kane was cited for OVI and failure to control and was scheduled to appear in North Olmsted Mayor’s Court on August 21, 2025, at 5 p.m.

The Cleveland Police Department has placed Kane on restricted duty pending the outcome of the case. Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Jarod Schlacht confirmed the arrest, stating that the incident occurred outside Cleveland’s jurisdiction while Kane was off-duty.

The North Olmsted Police Department is leading the investigation, with Cleveland’s Internal Affairs Unit monitoring the process.

As of now, there are no public updates on the court hearing’s outcome or Kane’s current status beyond his restricted duty.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Cleveland Police Department has emphasized that they will follow the case closely to ensure accountability.

An OVI charge involving a crash raises serious concerns about public safety and the reputation of the Cleveland Police Department.

Additional Information

• Impact on Romeo’s Pizza: The crash caused significant damage to the restaurant’s storefront, but no injuries were reported among staff or customers, as the shop was likely closed at the time.
• Officer Conduct: Kane’s refusal to cooperate with police, including not answering questions or acknowledging his rights, may complicate the investigation and could influence the case’s outcome.
• Public Reaction: While specific public sentiment is not detailed in reports, incidents involving law enforcement officers often spark discussions about accountability and trust in policing.

Note: This article is based on verified reports from August 20-21, 2025.