Chief's Wife Guilty of Shoplifting at Avon Target

Elaine Freeman, the wife of North Ridgeville Police Chief Michael Freeman, was sentenced on March 19 for petty theft committed in Avon.

Freeman originally pleaded not guilty, but changed her plea to no contest and was found guilty of petty theft in Avon Lake Municipal Court.

Freeman, 41, was accused of shoplifting food and other personal items from Target at the Avon Commons on Detroit Road just after noon on Nov. 19.  Freeman was with her 2-year-old son at the time and Avon police handcuffed Freeman and placed her and her son in a holding cell, according to Newsnet5.

The police chief told media outlets he was “upset that his wife and child were in booking.”

He told told Fox 8 he was not upset over his wife’s arrest but how she and their son were treated.

Days after the arrest, Avon Mayor Jim Smith said his officers did what “should have been done.” when discussing the issue at the Nov. 26 Avon City Council meeting.

Freeman was charged with petty theft, a first-degree misdemeanor, in Avon Lake Municipal Court on Nov. 21. On Nov. 27 she pleaded not guilty.

The court fined her $250 plus court costs (total $412), and issued a 30-day jail sentence, which was suspended.  It was a first offense for Freeman, who will also be monitored for two years by the court.