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Versions about arrest don’t jibe
STRUTHERS — Michael Gabriel Sr.’s version of what happened when he was arrested by Struthers patrolman Richard Craig on Dec. 15 varies sharply from Craig’s police incident report.
Gabriel has written letters to Police Chief Robert Norris, Mayor Terry Stocker and Municipal Court Judge James Lanza contending that Craig used excessive force. He said he also has contacted the FBI and state attorney general’s office about the matter.
An internal police investigation, begun Dec. 16, is on-going, Stocker said Friday.
Gabriel’s complaint stems from an incident at 108 S. Bridge St., when Craig was dispatched to help Lowellville Acting Police Chief Roger Vance serve felony warrants charging Gabriel’s son, Michael Jr., with receiving stolen property, credit card misuse and theft.
According to Craig’s report, Craig and Vance met at the South Bridge address, where they located Gabriel Jr. and asked him to come out of the home. He complied, but while Vance was handcuffing him, Gabriel’s father quickly approached to within inches of Vance and demanded to know what was going on.
Craig said he then ordered Gabriel Sr. to back up, and when he did not comply, he pushed him away from Vance with his hand. But instead of retreating, Gabriel Sr. resisted, the report said.
Craig then told Gabriel Sr. he was under arrest, but when the officer attempted to handcuff him, he continued to resist by lowering his body and pulling his arms to his midsection and clenching his fists. Craig said he then forced Gabriel Sr. to the ground, where Gabriel Sr. continued to push back as Craig attempted to turn him over to handcuff him. After Gabriel Jr. was secured, Vance helped Craig handcuff Gabriel Sr.
In his complaints, delivered to Chief Norris, Gabriel Sr. disputed Craig’s report. Gabriel Sr. said he asked Vance why he was arresting his son, and before Vance could answer, Craig stepped next to Gabriel and shoved him, nearly causing him to fall.
Gabriel Sr. said he has been “totally and permanently disabled” with arthritis for about five years and is not capable of moving quickly.
In his letter to Norris, Gabriel Sr. said Craig grabbed him by the arm, swung him around and threw him toward the right corner of the building in which he lives. He said he landed on the sidewalk and hit his head on the cornerstone of the building. He said Craig then jumped on him, turned him on his stomach and “knelt down on me with some part of his body and handcuffed me.”
Gabriel Sr. said he was not resisting but was unable to comply with Craig quickly because of his arthritis, and when he told Craig he could not get up without help, he said the policeman jerked him to a standing position. Gabriel said he also needed assistance getting into the cruiser.
According to medical reports from St. Elizabeth Health Center, supplied by Gabriel Sr., he received a chest bruise and an abrasion on his forehead while being arrested.
Gabriel Sr., charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, and obstructing justice, a felony, is free on $100 cash bond. His trial on the resisting charge is scheduled in municipal court for March 2. He was bound over to the Mahoning County grand jury on the felony charge.
Gabriel Jr. was bound over to the grand jury on three felony charges. He is free on cash bonds totaling $1,000, court officials said.
It’s not certain when the internal police investigation of Craig Sr.’s allegations will be completed.
alcorn@vindy.com