Beaver Twp. Police confirmed a suspect is in custody after an altercation with a Beaver Township Police Officer late Friday night. 

Zachary Crespo, 35, of Austintown was booked into the Mahoning County jail early Saturday and is charged with felonious assault, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, violating a protection order and domestic violence.

Crespo was arraigned on these charges in the Canfield Municipal Court on Tuesday, May 16 at 4:00 p.m. where he pled not guilty to all of these charges. A newly-released police report from Beaver Township states that Crespo called the domestic violence charge a "bull**** charge."

21 News crews at the scene observed at least 15 police cars from multiple different agencies, as well as SWAT units on Longview Circle, as well as a crowd of people surrounded the area. 

It all stemmed from a 911 call from Crespo's ex-girlfriend who told dispatchers that Crespo was in her family's home breaking windows, and at one point in the call, she is heard pleading for Crespo to give her a knife.

"We had probably 150 guys and probably more than 30 departments," said Chief Datillo.

Datillo told 21 News one of his officers was involved in an "altercation" with a suspect on Old Hickory Court. The officer was transported to the hospital with unspecified injuries.

Police say that Crespo allegedly "jumped" the officer in the garage and grabbed his firearm, throwing a plastic bottle of cranberry juice at the officer, knocking him onto the garage floor and punching him in the face.

Police say the officer was "bleeding profusely" from his head as a result of the injury and at one point "seemed unconscious."

It took drones, a helicopter, and dozens of law enforcement crews, including SWAT units to detain Crespo just after midnight. Police say he was detained by OSP at the intersection of West Pine Road and Elton Road.

Body camera video shows OSP troopers deploying a taser on Crespo, which according to the report, Crespo later admitted to enjoying telling officers that he wanted to buy his own because it was "fun."

"We were able to make contact with the suspect after a few hours of negotiation," Datillo said. "They were able to end the conflict with a peaceful resolution."

"Sometimes it turns ugly," Datillo said in reference to domestic dispute calls. "They're very dangerous. There's a lot of emotion involved. Usually, with family members, it gets crazy, hectic."

Several roads leading to the development were blocked off by police and fire presence. Those living near the scene were asked to turn on their outdoor lights and lock all doors.

Datillo is amazed at the outpouring of assistance he received from surrounding departments, backing fellow men and women in blue.

"The brotherhood that we have with the officers and law enforcement, for certain in this county," Datillo explained. "My phone was ringing off the hook with departments saying, 'What do you need.' I just wanted to thank all of them.

 

 

A 21 News photographer who lives near the area tells us police were going door to door asking about a gunman in the area, as well as asking people to turn flood lights on and any other lighting.

During the investigation, first responders shut down SR-7 between Garfield Road and Route 165. Drivers were asked to avoid traveling through that area and residents who lived nearby were asked to stay in their homes.