Police: Man under arrest had driven through Cleveland suburbs randomly shooting at other cars

Ohio police: Man drove around shooting at cars

BEREA, Ohio — A 65-year-old man apparently drove through the Cleveland suburbs and randomly shot at moving cars several times over the span of four months, authorities said Friday in announcing his arrest.

Paul Hausmann is suspected of shooting at four vehicles in Berea and a fifth in Strongsville, his hometown, between mid-August and mid-December, Berea Police Chief Mark Schultz said. No one was hurt.

There may have been other targets, the chief said.

“I’m sure there are people out there who were shot at and didn’t know it,” Schultz said.

Hausmann, in an arraignment by video hookup from jail, pleaded not guilty Friday and bond was set at $1 million. The case now goes before a grand jury.

Hausmann, who lives about a block from the Ohio Turnpike, has not provided any detailed statements to police and no motive was known, Schultz said. He apparently was shooting randomly while at the wheel, said Lance Kimmell, of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“When you’re shooting at cars, you simply don’t know whether you’re going to hit the occupant or not,” Kimmell said.

Hausmann was arrested Tuesday on information developed from tips and charged with felony assault and carrying concealed weapons, Schultz said. He was wearing shooting earmuffs and had a revolver and ammunition “consistent with the caliber rounds recovered at the shootings,” Schultz said.

Ruth Hagen, whose car was struck by a bullet in October, said she was relieved.

“I’ve been avoiding that area because that seemed to be where he was lurking,” she said. “I’ll feel much safer driving there or anywhere.”

Hagen, of Columbia Station, was driving to a health club when she heard a thud. A day later, her husband discovered a bullet hole below the rear bumper.

Michael Wendt, 26, who lives on the street where the shootings were centered, said his family had been taking different routes since the shootings.

“We’d watch our back when we were driving,” he said. “I’m just glad they caught him. I’m glad he’s going to get the help he needs.”

Laura Hannak, 34, who lives across the back fence from Hausmann’s modern-style attached town house, said she hadn’t met him but avoided him after he posted an obscene message in tape on a window shade after she held a backyard party in 2008.

When told a neighbor had been charged in the shootings, she pointed to his town house, saying she thought he might be the suspect.

“It’s crazy,” she said. “It’s amazing none of us got hurt.”

The shootings had led police to increase patrols in the area and talk with residents. The announcement of the arrest came a week after authorities posted a $5,000 reward. Two tipsters are being considered for rewards, the chief said.

Tips that led to the arrest included a man who told police on Dec. 3 that he had seen someone who may have been holding a weapon behind the wheel of a green Ford Focus.

Earlier this week, a woman called police to say she had heard five gunshots, Schultz said. About the same time, a police officer on patrol nearby saw a green Ford Focus and checked the license plate, providing police with Hausmann’s name as a possible suspect.

Hausmann was arrested Tuesday when he unexpectedly returned home while police had his home under surveillance. The chief said he has no criminal background.

Associated Press writer John Seewer in Toledo contributed to this report.