Man charged with felonious assault on two Warren police officers

Staff report

WARREN

Keith L. Provitt, 51, of Warren is being held in the Trumbull County jail without eligibility to make bond after being charged with two counts of felonious assault on two Warren police officers.

He pleaded not guilty Friday in Warren Municipal Court to three misdemeanor charges — possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and criminal trespass. Not-guilty pleas were entered for him related to the felonious-assault charges.

Provitt, of Palmyra Road Southwest and a Parkman Road Northwest motel, was arrested at 4:13 p.m. Thursday at the Sunoco gas station, 805 W. Market St. Two officers were called there because Provitt was outside asking customers for money, and the store clerk wanted him to leave.

When officers arrived, a dispatcher advised that Provitt may have warrants for his arrest. It turned out that he did have warrants — one for failure to appear on obstructing official business and one for failure to appear on resisting arrest.

Provitt wouldn’t provide his name and wouldn’t put his hands behind his back to be detained.

Provitt started to take steps as if he were going to run, so the officers grabbed him, but Provitt struck both officers in the face with a closed fist. As a third officer arrived, Provitt was brought under control. They found drug paraphernalia in his pocket, police said.

Both officers had swelling in their faces. Provitt had an abrasion near his eye.