ICE Detainee Escapes Custody. Westerville Police On Scene But No Pursuit.
Civil Matter For Westerville Police
Westerville police withdrew from the search for an escaped ICE detainee on Wednesday, after determining the man was only wanted on a civil charge and not a criminal charge. A Westerville Police spokesperson said, “Our officers did not even pursue. We were just on scene, and then as soon as they learned that it was a civil matter, we stepped back from the situation.”
The Westerville Police report indicates the man escaped ICE custody in the parking lot at St. Ann’s Hospital and ran east. Police initially set up a perimeter in nearby streets to watch for the escapee. The man was described as a thin, 5'8" Hispanic male from Honduras wearing a black shirt, black pants, no shoes, and still in handcuffs.
Witnesses reported seeing him heading east from the hospital and later walking south on the city’s bike path. ICE agents believed he might be east of Alum Creek, prompting officers to check multiple locations, including Cooper Road, the Otterbein Cemetery area, the bike path leading toward I-270, and the surrounding woods before calling off the search.
At one point, an ICE supervisor confirmed the escape but was unsure whether federal authorities would pursue criminal charges for it. Helicopter assistance from Columbus Police was arranged but ultimately canceled after Westerville determined the search would not continue under its jurisdiction. ICE agents remained on scene to continue looking for the man. The agents were later seen coordinating with Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies.
The police report did not indicate the escapee had been captured.
Administrative warrants, used by ICE for immigration enforcement, are issued by an agency official and do not require judicial review, unlike criminal warrants, which are issued by a judge and require probable cause for criminal investigations.
The Ohio Revised Code says that police may become involved in a civil dispute only if there is an indication of a criminal act. The ORC empowers police to arrest and detain, without a warrant, a person suspected of committing certain violent or domestic offenses within their jurisdiction. Enforcing a civil judgment is not required. ICE is detaining its suspects under an administrative warrant, not a criminal warrant covered by Ohio law. Administrative warrants do not require probable cause.
Westerville BZA Approves Shed Variance, Tables Boat Canopy Request
At its Thursday meeting, the Westerville Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved one variance request and tabled another after extended discussion.
Approved: Shed at Executive Court
The board unanimously approved a variance allowing a small shed to remain in front of the rear building line at 76 Executive Court. Applicant Terry Salser sought the variance after placing the 64-square-foot structure on the east side of his home, in a location where the rear yard slopes steeply toward a creek.
City code typically requires detached accessory structures to be placed entirely behind the rear building line of the primary residence. However, planning staff noted that the rear yard's grade made such placement impractical. The shed’s design was found compatible with the home, and a row of tall shrubs helps screen it from the street.
Staff supported the request, citing the lot's unique topography and minimal impact on neighbors. The board approved the variance as submitted.
Tabled: Boat Canopy on Bryan Drive
In a separate case, the board tabled a request from Eric and Linda Lund of 1027 Bryan Drive, who asked to keep a 252-square-foot boat canopy located in front of the rear building line and just four feet from the side property line, significantly short of the 10-foot minimum required by code.
The structure is used to store a small boat and currently sits on the east side of the house. While staff supported allowing it to remain in front of the rear building line — due to slope and tree coverage in the backyard — they recommended denial of the side-yard setback reduction. Staff noted that the structure could be moved six feet closer to the home to meet the 10-foot requirement without major impact.
The board discussed various alternatives for relocating the canopy to comply with the code and ultimately tabled the request at the applicants’ request. A revised proposal may come before the board at its September meeting.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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