Thorough LPD Investigation Yields Another Arrest in 2009 Kidnapping, Robbery

They got him. 

As recently reported by The Plain Dealer, William Sparks, 25, of Cleveland, was arraigned on April 20 and charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, felonious assault and grand theft for his alleged role in the 2009 robbery and kidnapping of two men in Lakewood. 

“There are 6 total defendants in the case,” Cuyahoga County Public Information officer Ryan Miday said. “First, Willie Butler was indicted. Second, Reginald Walker and Navita Speed were indicted separately. Third, Eric Grady and Deonte Stephens were indicted and consolidated with Walker and Speed. 

Fourth, and most recently, William Sparks was indicted.  Stephens was re-indicted with Sparks because Stephens has had a warrant out for his arrest since his first indictment in August 2010. The indictments happened over a period of time because their identity was unknown, except for Butler who was arrested on scene.” 

Sparks is believed to be one of four gunmen who charged into an empty Lauderdale Avenue residence with the intent of robbing and kidnapping an unidentified male who owned the home, Miday said. 

Instead, the assailants found two construction workers, Gilbert Hart, then 40 of Cleveland and Gerald Jones, then 61, of Lorain, who were hired to make repairs to the home. 

While a fifth man kept watch outside, the gunmen duct-taped Hart and Jones, stuck guns in their faces, claimed they were bounty hunters and demanded the two men call the homeowner to lure him to his residence. 

The victims complied, called the man and told him to come to the home and to bring additional construction supplies. The homeowner said he would arrive with the materials, but never showed. 

Growing impatient, the gunmen took Hart and Jones to the basement, then forced Jones into the homeowner’s car and made him drive them to the homeowner’s other residence in Lorain. 

Hart, who was left unattended in the basement of the Lakewood home, chewed through the duct tape, freed himself and alerted the

The Lakewood police called the Lorain police who sped to the homeowner’s Lorain residence and found Butler guarding Jones in the driveway. 

The other four men fled, and were later identified with the use of cell phone records and DNA evidence. 

Navita Speed, the mother of Walker, was indicted on obstruction of justice as it was discovered that she had given police false information about the robbery and kidnapping. 

This arrest caps an intense two-year investigation by police to track down and charge all who were involved in this October 3, 2009 10-hour ordeal. 

”Lakewood Police have been dogged in their pursuit of the suspects’ identities which has led to the indictment of the sixth defendant, William Sparks,” Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason said.