Ohio Police Staged Fake Crime Scene in Murder-for-Hire Investigation

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - North Ridgeville police hired a makeup artist to stage a fake crime scene to dupe a man who hired a hitman to kill someone, according to police.

Seljami Idrizi, 39, made his first court appearance Friday after investigators learned that he tried to have a 43-year-old North Ridgeville man killed, according to a short statement released Friday by the police department.

His bond has been set at $1 million, Elyria Municipal Court records show.

He faces a charge of conspiracy, and his case will eventually be presented to a grand jury, according to court records.

Idrizi befriended a man, and over time, felt comfortable enough to ask him to kill someone on his behalf, Capt. Marti Garrow said. His request became so persistent that the would-be hitman took his concerns to the police Sept. 14.

The man agreed to serve as a confidential informant and had several controlled meetings with Idrizi overseen by police. Idrizi told the informant that he wanted to see a picture of the dead target.

Police contacted a local makeup artist to stage a crime scene to make it look like the victim was shot in the head, Garrow said.

The confidential informant showed the picture to Idrizi Thursday and he believed it was real. Idrizi gave him the money. Police arrested him.

Garrow would not release how much Idrizi paid the confidential informant.

The news release does not explain Idrizi's motive.

Idrizi has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday, records show.

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