Lorain man accused of assaulting officer

A Lorain man is accused of a OVI and assaulting a police officer among other charges following an altercation during a traffic stop on July 9, according to a police report.

At about 7:04 p.m. on July 9 Lorain police initiated a traffic stop after observing a Mazda RX8 traveling at a high rate of speed down West 27th Street. Officers were parked in the parking lot of Central Park near the corner of Highland Park Boulevard and Park Drive, the report said.

According to the report, Hector Torres, 56, of Queen Anne Avenue, swerved off the road, where he ‘fishtailed’ around a telephone pole and a small boulder before returning to the roadway.

Torres then attempted to accelerate again but, the car was not initially in gear. As officers approached the vehicle in their police cruiser the Mazda pulled out and made a turn onto Park Avenue before coming to a complete stop.

Torres was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, OVI, failure to control, obstructing official business, driving under suspension, expired plates and implied consent to test. He was transferred to the Lorain City Jail.

After Torres brought the vehicle to a stop, the report states he exited the vehicle and awaited officers to approach his vehicle. After refusing orders from officers to return to his car, the report said Torres angled his body in an aggressive stance leading officers to believe he was preparing to fight or attack.

After officers saw Torres reaching for something below his belt they ordered him to make his hands visible and place them on his car. Torres initially complied with the request before removing them after 10 seconds.

When Torres continued to refuse orders from police he abruptly dropped his arms and motioned as if he was going to return to the car, causing concern among officers who believed he may possess a weapon, the report said.

Lorain officers fired a stun gun at Torres before an altercation ensued and the suspect was pulled away from the car where he continued resisting officers’ attempts to subdue him to the ground, according to the report. The stun gun, however, was ineffective due to only striking Torres with one barb, the report said.

Police were able to finally restrain Torres in handcuffs when he became tired from the pushing and pulling with police. Torres denied consuming alcohol and stated he swerved off the roadway to avoid hitting a raccoon, the report stated.

During the course of the altercation a Lorain police officer sustained a cut to his right forearm in addition to an abrasion underneath the cuts.