Willoughby man accused of assaulting police officer

A Willoughby man is accused of grabbing a city police officer by the throat during an arrest Nov. 18 at Porch Bar & Grill.

Willoughby police received a call around 1:18 a.m. from a female patron from the 37638 Vine St. bar who reported that a man named Matt was causing problems inside the bar and pushing other women.

The caller said she needed police to arrive as soon as possible, according to a news release from the department.

Police arrived and reported they found 34-year-old Matthew Dimeolo still inside the bar and appeared to be intoxicated. As officers attempted to intervene, Dimeolo became “highly agitated” with the officers and bar patrons, waving his arms around in the air, stomping his feet and yelling obscenities at the officers, the release stated.

Dimeolo was placed under arrest for public intoxication, but he refused to get inside the police cruiser. He continued to shout obscenities and threats at the officers.

At one point, according to the department, Dimeolo jumped toward the officer from the cruiser’s doorway and grabbed the officer by the throat. The officer was able to knock his hands away and push him back into the rear seat of the cruiser. He continued to yell and threaten the officers.

Police said Dimeolo was not injured during the incident.

Dimeolo was arraigned in Willoughby Municipal Court Nov. 19 on fourthdegree felony assault on a police officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest and persistent disorderly conduct charges.

A preliminary hearing for Dimeolo is scheduled for Nov. 29.

Dimeolo