CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging 18-year-old Gauge Franklin (from Akron) and 20-year-old John Dietrich (from Barberton) for participating in a street takeover on West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue on September 15, 2024. Additionally, a 17-year-old male (from Norton) was also charged.

“These street takeovers are ruining the quality of life for our citizens. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute any street takeover cases referred to us.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On September 15, 2024, around 2:30 a.m. Gauge Franklin, John Dietrich, and a 17-year-old male attended and participated in illegally shutting down the intersection of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue. Approximately 20 vehicles (including electronic scooters and electronic bikes) created a roadblock, participated in donuts in the intersection, and blocked off the intersection to traffic, including slowing down an ambulance from proceeding to the hospital. In addition, a fire accelerant was poured in a circle at the intersection and a fire was lit. The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to the scene.

Further investigation conducted by CDP revealed that Gauge Franklin drove his 1992 Ford Explorer to the intersection along with John Dietrich and the 17-year-old male. The 17-year-old male took the fire accelerant out of Gauge’s Explorer and poured the fire accelerant in a circle. Afterward, John Dietrich lit the fire. Additional unidentified participants stood inside the ring after the fire was lit. The fire accelerant was placed back inside Gauge’s Explorer. Franklin, Dietrich, and the 17-year-old male then fled the scene in Gauge’s Explorer after CDP arrived. Social media evidence and surveillance footage linked them to the crime. The investigation remains ongoing.

On October 3, 2024, Gauge Franklin was arrested and on October 8, 2024, John Dietrich was arrested. An arrest warrant has been issued for the 17-year-old male.

You can view videos of the incidents below:

On October 11, 2024, Gauge Franklin and John Dietrich were indicted on the following charges:

  • One count of Aggravated Riot
  • One count of Disrupting Public Services
  • One count of Inducing Panic
  • One count of Arson
  • One count of Criminal Damaging or Endangering

They will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.

On October 3, 2024, the 17-year-old male was charged in juvenile court with the following:

  • One count of Aggravated Riot
  • One count of Disrupting Public Services
  • One count of Inducing Panic
  • One count of Arson
  • One count of Criminal Damaging or Endangering