To anyone who lives near Victoy Chapel, attends services there or owns a business in the Portage Lakes area please beware of a violent transient being allowed to live in the parking lot over that last several months. If you help him in anyway this individual will stalk you daily and trespass your property with intent of theft. If you refuse him assistance he will become instantly violent.
I have informed Summit County Sherriff's department about my latest incident with this person where he refused to leave my business and threatened myself and property twice on the same day. Unless caught in such an act the Sheriff can not do anything and did even make a report of the event as he has premission from the Church to stay.
Far worse is the odd interest this person shows towards children playing in the field and overflow Church lot across the way. In fairness I've not witnessed direct contact but he positions his vehicle as close as possible to them in a very disturbing manor. When childern are around he will cross into the overflow lot parking his vehicle to stair at them until they leave and then return to do so again if they do. Note these are not public sports contests, simply young neighborhood childern at play. In my mind there no possible justification for this.
I have reported this behavior twice before to the Church and once to Sheriff before ever having contact with him. At that point I thought he was a member of the congregation and spoke to others who help maintain the Church. By thier accounts who have also been met by panhandling and violent behavior from this person. I also contacted Victory Chapel in regards to what just occurred and the statement by the Sheriff that they must call to remove him. Victory Chapel has yet to do anything about this as he remains camped out there.
I can fully understand wanting to help a person down on thier luck but this has invited a potentially dangerous element to take residence in our neighborhood. I no longer feel safe bringing my wife or children to my place of business. Pastor Web doesn't live here...you do!!!
Please voice any incident or concerns to Victory Chapel and Summit County Sherriff's Department. We must catch him in the act or somehow convince the Church not to allow him further residence so the Sheriff can legally remove him should he return. Our community, and the safety of our children should take precedence over this one person's needs through his own poor choices.
His name is John, roughly mid 50's very thin build with a double chin and pot belly. Sunken eyes, pronounced forward slouch, 5'-7" 175lbs curly short white hair... Small but very aggressive even when asking for help or money. Drives/sleeps in a Gold late 90's early 2000's Chevy Impala. read more