Warren man charged in threat on Austintown cop

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown police arrested a 36-year-old Warren man early Thursday, charging him with felonious assault.

Bruce B. Von Bergen of Lexington Avenue also is charged with resisting arrest and aggravated menacing for saying he would hurt an Austintown police officer, according to a report.

Police were dispatched to Bill’s Place on Mahoning Avenue for a report of a fight with a possible gun involved. Police found two men wrestling on the sidewalk outside of the business.

Police found a box cutter on the ground and were told the cutter was used by Von Bergen.

Once in handcuffs, police told Von Bergen he was under arrest, and he responded with obscene language toward the Austintown officers, the report said. Police said he appeared to be intoxicated.

Witnesses at the bar told police Von Bergen started to throw punches so they escorted him out. Once outside, Von Bergen pulled out the box cutter and swung it at people, the report said.

Von Bergen continued to threaten and direct offensive comments toward police.

His court date is set for 1 p.m. Monday in Mahoning County Court in Austintown. He was taken to the Mahoning County jail.

Police said they added an additional count of aggravated menacing because of comments Von Bergen made on the way to the jail, including threats he made to kill an Austintown police officer.