Police investigating alleged sexual assault inside island bar

PUT-IN-BAY — Put-in-Bay police confirmed Sunday the department is conducting an investigation of an alleged sexual assault at Mr. Ed's Bar. But details about the complaint are being withheld, including who is accused and whether there are witnesses or video recordings from surveillance cameras. The initial details police get, generally, are included in an incident report, which is filed prior to the start of an investigation. One island resident said the bar was cordoned off on Friday as police reviewed video from the bar, but police did not confirm that.The Register received an email from Tony Battista in response to a public records request sent to police Chief Steve Riddle. Battista did not identify what agency he was representing, or his role in an investigation. A call to the department confirmed he is a detective with the Put-in-Bay police, but was not working Monday. "I can confirm our department is investigating a complaint regarding a sexual assault alleged to have occurred at Mr. Ed's Bar and Grill, 300 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay, and reported to police shortly thereafter on or about Aug. 2, 2019, at approximately 00:02," Battista wrote.The Register asked Riddle for the initial incident report, which documents the complaint a law enforcement agency receives before an investigation can be started or properly authorized. In his response, Battista incorrectly states the records requested are not public record because an investigation is ongoing. The Register did not request information from the investigation.The police department later on Monday sent the Register part of the initial incident report but failed to include all of the details required to be part of it. "I trust the information above completes the response to your request. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me," Battista wrote, not providing contact information or otherwise identifying himself. "I thank you for your inquiry into the activities and operations of the Put-in-Bay Police Department, and wish you the best as you continue your outstanding journalism."Battista's email was sent to the Register under Riddle's e-signature. Riddle usually ignores public records requests and does not take or return phone calls. He did not return calls seeking comment Monday morning.The Put-in-Bay police department also has, in the past, been the subject of Register news investigations that uncovered a history of drugged rapes on the island dating back a dozen years.Register reporters learned of numerous alleged rape and sexual assault incidents that were kept hidden, ignored or otherwise failed to be properly investigated by the police department. One alleged attack was traced directly back to the police department, with one cadet officer accusing another of drugging her then raping her. A previous chief of the Put-in-Bay police force allegedly refused to investigate the complaint, according to records the Register reviewed.Another allegation led to charges being filed against a bar manager at Mr. Ed's island location in 2014. The bar manager was acquitted at trial.Put-in-Bay police Chief Steve Riddle testifies during a civil protection order hearing in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court.