Youngstown man arrested for attacking cop

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Police say a man choked and punched a city police officer early Wednesday as officers were trying to question him about a complaint.

The complaint was about someone driving an all-terrain vehicle in a South Side neighborhood.

Reports said police were called at 4 a.m. and again at 5:45 a.m. to the 3500 block of LaSalle Avenue for complaints that someone was driving an ATV at high speeds, keeping neighbors awake.

The second time police were called, they found ATV tracks in the wet grass and followed them to a garage where an ATV was parked with a warm engine.

Police knocked on the door of the home, and a man later identified as Gary Robertson, 42, told police he did not drive his ATV and told police to leave.

Reports said Robertson was shouting at officers and was told he was being arrested for obstructing official business because he refused commands to keep quiet.

Police tried to grab Robertson, and Robertson and two officers fell to the ground, reports said. While on the ground, Robertson reportedly punched and choked one of the officers, and one of the officers used his electronic stun gun but it had no effect, reports said.

The other officer then managed to free himself and use his stun weapon, which incapacitated Robertson enough that he could be handcuffed.

Robertson was taken to Mahoning County jail on charges of assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and obstructing official business

Judge Elizabeth Kobly of Youngstown Municipal Court set his bond at $30,000 at his arraignment Friday.