Man who threatened Liberty restaurant patrons released from jail

WARREN

The Trumbull County Jail’s current limits on accepting nonviolent prisoners allowed a man who police said had threatened restaurant workers with a knife to be released back into Liberty Township on Jan. 18.

The township police chief says, however, he’s never had any problem with the jail’s intake practices or decisions.

Luis A. Santos, 30, of Holly Drive was charged with misdemeanor inducing panic and disorderly conduct

Jan. 18 after an 8:45 p.m. 911 call. The caller claimed Santos had grabbed a knife from the kitchen at El Jalapenos restaurant, 4055 Belmont Ave., and was threatening employees with it.

When officers arrived, Santos was walking with a large knife toward one man, who was running. Another man also was running away from Santos.

A Liberty officer blew his car’s air horn at Santos, and Santos threw the knife toward a snow bank. Santos obeyed the officer’s commands and was apprehended without incident. He had minor injuries to his hands and face, smelled of alcohol and screamed while being detained, police said.

Police determined Santos had become extremely drunk while in the restaurant, then grabbed the knife and threatened the staff with it.

Read more about the incident in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.