Man, woman face numerous charges

VERMILION TWP. — Two people led police on an extensive search throughout Thursday afternoon across eastern Erie County. While authorities only apprehended one of the suspects, as of Sunday, they charged each with numerous crimes, ranging between misdemeanors and felonies. According to the Erie County Sheriff's Office, deputies charged: • Richard K. Garvey, 32, 4600 block Ohio 60, Wakeman, with having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony; improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon, both fourth-degree felonies; along with obstructing official business and driving under suspension, both misdemeanors. He's locked up on a no-bond order. • Jamie M. Gabel, 28, 100 block S. Compass Drive, Vermilion, with complicity to having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony; and obstructing official business, a second-degree felony. A police report also noted she has a warrant out for her arrest, since she remains wanted. Additional charges could follow for both. The alleged incident Based on a sheriff's report, Garvey and Gabel first attempted to evade police when Garvey saw a Vermilion officer. Even though there wasn't a car pursuit, Garvey and Gabel — fearful authorities knew about their criminal history — parked and then abandoned their vehicle. They then escaped on foot. "The vehicle proceeded southbound on the unpaved access road from Chardonnay Circle to Kneisel Road and, ultimately, onto Sassafras Drive, to which they fled on foot," into a wooded area. Deputies located the unoccupied vehicle with the doors locked, though its windows were partially opened. A vehicle inventory reportedly found many items, including three firearms along with two orange straws containing a white residue on them. Nearby residents informed deputies of their last known direction of travel. "A perimeter of the area was set up with units positioned in various nearby areas in marked vehicles," the report read, noting authorities deployed a K-9 and aerial drone in hopes of finding them. Not too long after this, a citizen informed Erie County about seeing Garvey — who was convicted of a felony drug offense in 2023 through Lorain County Common Pleas Court — hiding behind a tree at the intersection of Hickory and Sassafras drives in the Vermilion area. "Garvey was located and ordered to the ground at gunpoint," the report read, adding how, upon being apprehended, deputies found a $1 bill with white residue hidden in his sock. When asked about Gabel's location, Garvey initially claimed he didn't know anyone by that name, "Jamie Gabel." Eventually, Garvey said he only knew a woman named "April," who turned out to be her. As of Sunday, her whereabouts remain unknown. Authorities urge the public to contact 911 if coming across Gabel.