A New Philadelphia police detective narrowly escaped injury Wednesday morning after a suspect allegedly grabbed the officer’s firearm and discharged it during a struggle behind an apartment complex on East High Avenue near the airport.
Captain Rocky Dusenberry said officers were called just after 8 a.m. for reports of a suspicious man who appeared to be sleeping — or possibly deceased — against a tree in a resident’s backyard.
Police later learned the man was wanted in Stark County for armed robberies the previous night and for a parole violation. When questioned, he initially gave officers a false name. However, he was wearing clothing from his landscaping job, and Dusenberry contacted the employer to verify his identity.
Dusenberry said that when he radioed the correct name aloud, the suspect jumped up and tried to run. The attempt to flee quickly escalated into a physical altercation involving three officers. During the struggle, the suspect allegedly grabbed a detective’s firearm and fired a shot that came within an inch of striking the detective, who was on the ground at the time.
“The detective was literally laying on the gun and I was on top of the suspect, so we were all in a scrum,” Dusenberry said.
Officers were ultimately able to subdue the suspect, who was taken to the Tuscarawas County Jail. No serious injuries were reported, though the detective sustained scrapes to his face. Charges are pending in both Tuscarawas and Stark counties.
While Dusenberry wouldn’t initially name the suspect, Stark County Sheriff’s officials have since identified him as 28‑year‑old Dyllan Riter, who was wanted in connection with recent robberies at two Dollar General stores. Riter is also listed on the Tuscarawas County Jail roster. Dusenberry said he does have ties to the area.
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