Staff report
news@wbcowqel.com
The body of a man believed to have been involved in a Sunday crime spree in Northeast Ohio was found in a vehicle pulled over in Crawford County.
A trooper from the Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol discovered the body of 34-year-old Michael Collins Jr. of Lakewood early Monday morning when the vehicle was stopped on Clark Road near Ohio 19 in the northwest part of the county. Records indicated the traffic stop occurred at 2:12 a.m.
Authorities were looking for the vehicle as a result of a call tipping them off. A spokesperson for the Patrol confirmed a third party had called about a distressed woman driving the vehicle in question
The vehicle was being driven by 24-year-old Kristle Kendle of Lakewood. Collins’ body had a gunshot wound in the head.
Kendle, who was charged with DUI, told authorities Collins had committed suicide. Collins is suspected of stealing a gun on Sunday in Lakewood and later committing armed robbery at a gas station/convenience store in Strongsville. Strongsville police had put out a bulletin for law enforcement authorities to be on the lookout for Collins.
An autopsy is being performed by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office as authorities continue their investigation to determine whether Collins’ death was suicide or homicide.