State patrolman honored for rescue of woman

Staff report

WARREN

An Ohio State Highway patrolman from the Southington post has been honored for helping a woman fight off an attacker while off duty in northern Trumbull County on Oct. 10.

Trooper Jason Bonar was riding his motorcycle on Custer Orangeville Road in Hartford Township near the entrance to Sharon Speedway when he spotted what appeared to be a bicycle accident up ahead.

As he got closer, Trooper Bonar saw a man walk onto the road from an adjacent field. Seconds later, a woman came from the edge of the field, yelling that the man had tried to rape her.

The woman’s pants were pulled down, her shirt was grass-stained, and her bicycle helmet was broken and askew.

The man quickly got into his vehicle, which was parked nearby, but Trooper Bonar pulled his motorcycle in front of the car to prevent the suspect from leaving.

The trooper identified himself as an off-duty trooper, ordered the man out of the car and moved toward the driver’s-side door.

As Trooper Bonar tried to grab the man, the suspect sped off, striking Bonar and injuring to his right shoulder. Bonar called 911 and gave the dispatcher a full description of the suspect and the vehicle.

The assailant has not been identified or captured.

Capt. James Holt, commander of the Patrol’s Warren district, presented Bonar with a Certificate of Recognition Thursday for his efforts, which deputies from the Trumbull County sheriff’s office said prevented the woman from being sexually assaulted and possibly killed.

Earlier this week, he was awarded the 2010 Criminal Patrol Award for excellence in felony enforcement.