Youngstown man jailed for attacking cop

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Ferndale Avenue man is in the Mahoning County jail after reports said he attacked a police officer late Wednesday.

Officer Robert DiMaiolo was on patrol about 10:30 p.m. on South Avenue when someone threw a water bottle at his cruiser near East Dewey Avenue.

When DiMaiolo got out of his car, reports said he saw Jimmy Torres, 31, in the parking lot of a nearby gas station, and Torres began hollering at him.

Torres walked into the gas station, and DiMaiolo followed him inside to see what was going on. Torres continued screaming.

Reports said after DiMaiolo tried to take him into custody because Torres would not settle down, Torres tried to punch him.

DiMaiolo ducked the punch and tried to use his stun weapon but it did not work because Torres had on heavy clothing.

The two struggled before DiMaiolo got control of Torres and other officers arrived.

Reports said Torres tried to grab the stun weapon from DiMaiolo, who was able to hold him off and get him under control with one hand as he guarded the stun weapon.

When other officers arrived and they were able to search Torres, they found a burned crack pipe on him, reports said.

On the way to the jail, Torres threatened to kill another officer and at the jail, corrections officers found three bags of suspected marijuana in his shirt pocket.

Charges against Torres include assault on a police officer and aggravated robbery for trying to take the stun weapon.

He is expected to be arraigned today in municipal court.