Springfield Township police have arrested a motel owner accused of interfering with an urgent investigation into reports that a woman was being held against her will at his property.According to township police, Dipakkumar Patel, 64, was taken into custody on February 17 and charged with obstructing official business and tampering with records. Authorities announced the arrest on February 18 through a Facebook post, noting that Patel was transported to the Summit County Jail.
Police said that on February 3, officers responded multiple times to the Office Motel, located in the 1900 block of Massillon Road, after receiving information suggesting that a woman was being confined by a man and was in immediate danger. Reports indicated the woman was not free to leave, prompting what police called “an urgent and thorough response to locate her and ensure her safety.” After continued investigation, officers ultimately located the woman on the motel property and arrested a man who was found to have an active warrant. Police said the man remains under investigation.
Authorities further allege that the motel’s records had been altered and that critical information was withheld from officers, delaying their ability to find the woman. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated,” Springfield Township police said in their statement, adding that the department has responded to numerous incidents at the Office Motel.In a separate earlier incident on January 16, officers arrested a Norton man on drug-related charges after observing his vehicle leaving the Office Motel. Police said the man was carrying more than 41 grams of methamphetamine and 1.2 grams of psilocybin. The drugs were discovered with the assistance of K9 Rex and were sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for laboratory testing.Police noted that the motel has long been “known for drug activity,” heightening officers’ suspicions during routine patrol.