The owner of Ernst Lanes has been arrested and charged with possession of cocaine after a Dec. 12 search warrant revealed about 200 grams of cocaine at the shuttered bowling alley in Hambden Township, according to court documents.
The owner of Ernst Lanes has been arrested and charged with possession of cocaine after a Dec. 12 search warrant revealed about 200 grams of cocaine at the shuttered bowling alley in Hambden Township, according to court documents.
Joseph G. Ernst, 71, of Rock Creek Road, Hambden, was charged with the first-degree felony Dec. 15 in Chardon Municipal Court. Ernst posted his bond set at $300,000 cash or surety by Judge Terri Stupica. The bond was posted by Chuck Brown II Bail Bonds.
“That charge designates the Defendant as a major drug offender and requires the Court to impose a mandatory 11-year prison sentence, which is the maximum for a first degree felony,” said Geauga County Prosecutor James R. Flaiz. “Additional charges will be presented to the Grand Jury.”
Ernst, the second-generation owner of the once-popular community hang-out, did not have a criminal record.
Ernst was arrested at the bowling alley when deputies forced entry Dec. 12 and Ernst had cocaine and crack cocaine on his person as he exited another door, according to law enforcement.
A further search found a safe that contained a large bag of suspected cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash.
There were also several crack pipes and lab equipment commonly used in manufacturing crack cocaine.
Ernst’s Tesla vehicle was towed from the scene.
Ernst Lanes, located at 10651 Grant Street in Hambden Township, has been for sale for about six months listed at $995,000.
Vic Cizek, the realtor, said Monday evening in an email he had just learned of the arrest and “it would be too soon to comment on this situation.”
Ernst Lanes closed in March of 2020 about a week before Ohio shut down all non-essential businesses in the state. Joe Ernst said in May of 2021 he intended to reopen the bowling in August of 2021.
The bowling alley reopened briefly in 2023 for league play but has remained vacant of late.
Also arrested at the scene was Melinda M. Bond, 61, of N. Hambden Street, Chardon. Bond was charged with drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony.
Editor’s note: This story continues to be updated as new information becomes available.
