Mahoning County reserve deputy charged with a felony

WARREN — A reserve deputy for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department has pleaded innocent to a felony weapons charge and two misdemeanors over an altercation he had with police outside of a Warren Township tavern.

Kevin A. Hellock, 36, of Stewart Avenue, Warren, faces charges of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, driving under the influence and resisting arrest.

Warren Township police said they were called to Bushwacker’s, 825 North River Road, for an unwanted intoxicated person.

When they arrived, the found Hellock trying to drive his car out of the bar’s parking lot. Officers blocked his car into the parking lot and had Hellock put his car into park.

Officers reported smelling alcohol as they asked him for his license and registration. Hellock flipped open his wallet to show them his badge from the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department and said the badge was all they needed to know.

When officers again asked him for his driver’s license and registration he shouted, “I am a [expletive] cop,” the police report said.

Hellock then put his vehicle in gear and tried to drive away with the driver’s side door open. The vehicle nearly struck two police officers and their cruisers.

One officer then reached inside and put Hellock’s car in park, then officers took Hellock out of the car and restrained him on the ground.

Hellock refused any field sobriety tests later at the Champion Police Department.

While checking Hellock’s vehicle, officers found a loaded revolver inside an unlocked glove compartment.

Hellock was later released on a summons to appear Friday in Warren Municipal Court.