Fremont business owner wrongly arrested in front of customers

FREMONT, Ohio (WTVG) – A Fremont business owner was arrested and taken to jail in a case of mistaken identity Friday.

The Fremont Police Department has launched an internal investigation.

Body cam video shows Fremont police officers going into Darnell McCloud’s restaurant and arresting him.

“I have some bad news for you. You have a warrant for your arrest,” said Officer Chevy Farmer.

Officers were attempting to locate a suspect with an outstanding warrant for drug trafficking. They arrested 41-year-old Darnell McCloud but didn’t know they had the wrong man.

13 Action News reviewed multiple body cam videos and the officers never asked the man his last name.

“They didn’t ask for ID. They didn’t ask for my name,” said Darnell McCloud.

Police walk the man out of the restaurant in front of all his customers. He asked them to show him the warrant.

McCloud fought back tears as he watched the body cam.

“I haven’t done nothing. I worked for over five years here in Fremont. So, I haven’t done nothing and for them to come in here and say I had two F ones for drug trafficking, especially in front of all my customers it just surprised me,” said McCloud.

McCloud was never booked in the jail.

A Sandusky County jail employee realized Fremont police had the wrong guy after she called the man Mr. Smith the name of the suspect who was supposed to be arrested.

McCloud replied by saying

“My name is Mr. McCloud. My name is Darnell McCloud.”

The jail employee checked with the officer who transported McCloud to the jail and asked for the sheet with the suspect’s information.

The Fremont officer got in his car and ran McCloud’s date of birth and social security number.

Officer Chevy Farmer wrote on a police report “Sgt. Dagg advised “Darnell” told her he was Darnell McCloud, and provided her his social security number. I ran this information through OHLEG and confirmed this subject was not Darnell Smith however, he indeed was Darnell McCloud. I ran Darnell through LEADS and learned he didn’t have an active warrant for his arrest.”

McCloud was released due to mistaken identity.

The officer offered him a ride, but the innocent man refused and told Farmer he would walk back to his restaurant.

“A lot of officials have called me and have been very apologetic about the situation. They have told me several times they know they have messed up which I appreciate but at the same time, I think somebody should be held accountable,” said McCloud.

Fremont Police have declined to comment because of the investigation.

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