AVON LAKE — A Lorain firefighter pleaded no contest Tuesday to a persistent disorderly conduct charge for tampering with the car of a University Hospitals employee earlier this year after he became upset about how she had parked her car.
Joshua Murphy, 35, initially was charged with criminal mischief in the case, but it was reduced during his appearance in Avon Lake Municipal Court. He was fined $150 and ordered to stay away from the victim in the Jan. 4 incident, according to court records.
An Avon police report said that the victim in the case, Grissell Daniels, told police that she had parked her car in the darkened lot on Healthway Drive about 5:30 a.m. and ended up parking forward of the space.
She told officers that a co-worker told her later in the day that her car had been tampered with and when she left work about 3 p.m., she found her gas cap lid and her windshield wipers were up. There also was a note that read, “Learn how to park you (expletive) (expletive) have a nice day.”
Daniels reported the incident to the hospital and called police the next day, who told her to get in touch with them if any suspects came to her attention.
On Jan. 6, the report said, Murphy posted a complaint on Facebook against her about her parking, alleging that she routinely was taking up two to four parking spaces. Murphy wrote in the post that he had approached her and she had laughed at him.
Daniels told police no one had ever approached her and that Murphy’s description of her car as 10-year-old Ford Taurus was incorrect since she owns a 2015 model year car.
“Daniels believes Murphy has mistaken her for someone else,” the report said. “Daniels stated that she has parked in the same area for almost 10 years and has never had a problem. Daniels stated that she fears for her safety when parking her car in the morning and when she leaves after her shift.”
Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer said now that the criminal case against Murphy has been resolved, the city will conduct an internal investigation to determine if he should face discipline.
A call to Murphy’s attorney seeking comment wasn’t returned Tuesday.
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