Cops investigate North Park Street stabbing

Oberlin police are looking for a woman they believe was involved in a stabbing last week, but the 21-year-old victim is not cooperating.

Lt. Michael McCloskey said officers responded to 42 N. Park St. at about 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, for a report of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found the victim, Michael Hinton, 21, of Cleveland, with a cloth wrapped around his left arm, being loaded into an ambulance.

Ceasar Bates, 29, of Oberlin, was also on the scene, trying to climb in the back of the ambulance with Hinton. Ambulance workers asked him to get out of the ambulance so they could treat the victim.

Bates became beligerant, resisting attempts by officers to remove him. He was charged with disorderly conduct by intoxication and obstructing official business.

Hinton was transported to Allen Community Hospital, where he was treated for multiple stab wounds to his left arm. McCloskey said he believed Hinton was treated and released, but a hospital representative could not confirm that information.

The police also had a difficult time getting information. McCloskey said Hinton was uncooperative when questioned by police.

"He doesn't want to pursue this criminally, and he's given us conflicting statements about how his injuries occurred," McCloskey said. "Our belief is that it was the result of an argument with a female acquaintance. But the female wasn't on scene when the officers arrived."

He said officers found a knife with the handle missing on a dresser in the bedroom where the stabbing took place. But McCloskey said it was not known whether that knife was used in the stabbing.

McCloskey said he could not name the woman because she is an uncharged suspect.

"We do have an idea who we think it is, but she's an unnamed suspect," McCloskey said. "But without corroboration or cooperation from the victim we can't really confirm anything right now. We're following other leads and avenues right now."