Man accused of hitting cruisers is arraigned

YOUNGSTOWN -- Tim Vari, who police said rammed two cruisers to avoid capture in a stolen pickup, was arraigned Wednesday in municipal court on two counts of felonious assault on a police officer and one each of fleeing and eluding, possession of crack and driving under suspension.
Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly set bond at 225,000 and a preliminary hearing for April 5. Although police reports list a Campbell address for Vari, he told the judge he was released from prison in December and has no address.
Vari, 54, was arrested around 12:15 a.m. Monday on Applegate Road in Hubbard and taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for treatment.
The pursuit began on McGuffey Road when police spotted a stolen 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe traveling eastbound. The driver sped up and drove over several East Side streets before stopping on Applegate, apparently from engine trouble.
Two of the cruisers that boxed in the vehicle were damaged when the driver of the Tahoe, later identified as Vari, smashed into them and drove off, police said. He didn't get far because of the engine trouble and police boxed him in again.
Police said Vari refused to get out of the locked pickup and could be seen lighting up a suspected crack pipe. Officers broke a passenger-side window to forcibly remove him from the vehicle.