Cincinnati police are asking for the public's help finding a 49-year-old man wanted on three traffic warrants who officers also want to question about a string of break-ins in Northside. Michael Radeke, described as a white male standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, is known to frequent the East and West Price Hill areas, according to a wanted notice issued by District Three.
Traffic Warrants Tied to Insurance and Equipment Violations
The notice, posted Thursday by the Cincinnati Police Department, lists Radeke as wanted on three traffic capiases stemming from case numbers tied to a driving-under-suspension charge, a seat belt violation, and a license plate law violation. A capias warrant is issued by a judge when a defendant fails to appear in court or fails to meet a court-ordered obligation, authorizing officers to arrest the person and bring them before the judge, according to the Meade Law Group. The underlying insurance charge stems from Ohio's Financial Responsibility Act, which is triggered when the state's Bureau of Motor Vehicles is notified that a vehicle was being driven without required liability coverage, and generally carries an unclassified misdemeanor penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and up to 500 hours of community service for a first offense under Ohio law, per the American Legal Publishing.
The other two charges are far less severe. Failing to wear a seat belt is classified as a minor misdemeanor in Ohio, carrying only a standard fine with no license points, the same account notes. Driving without a valid, unobstructed license plate is also a minor misdemeanor under state law, per the police notice.
Northside Break-Ins Remain Under Investigation
Beyond the traffic warrants, the wanted notice states that Radeke is sought for questioning regarding several breaking-and-entering incidents in the Northside area. Police have not filed felony charges against him in connection with those incidents; the notice frames his connection to the break-ins as a matter for questioning rather than a formal accusation. Under Ohio law, breaking and entering into an unoccupied structure with intent to commit theft or a felony is a fifth-degree felony, punishable by six to 12 months in prison and fines up to $2,500, according to Funkhouser Law.
That Northside connection lands with District Three detectives rather than another unit because of a citywide restructuring. The city dissolved Cincinnati Police District 5 in late 2023 and reassigned Northside into District 3's jurisdiction as part of a consolidation from five patrol districts down to four, according to the City of Cincinnati. District Three operates out of a LEED Platinum-certified, net-zero energy headquarters at 2300 Ferguson Road in Westwood, serving roughly 95,000 residents across 14 West Side neighborhoods.
Description and Last Known Habits
Police describe Radeke as having gray hair, green eyes, and a tattoo on the right side of his neck. His date of birth is listed as June 3, 1977. He may be driving an older model beige Chevrolet 1500 Express Van with an unknown license plate, and he is known to frequent Price Hill and Lower Price Hill, which together with West Price Hill make up one of the city's largest residential areas, spanning three distinct West Side neighborhoods.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tracy Jones at District Three at 513-263-8300, or contact Police Dispatch at 513-765-1212. Tipsters can also reach Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040, where anonymous tips that lead to an arrest or indictment can be eligible for cash rewards of up to $2,500. Police say informants may remain anonymous and may receive compensation for information leading to Radeke's capture.
