An Akron man remains uncharged three days after he allegedly injured a Cuyahoga Falls police officer by purposefully crashing his car into a police cruiser during a pursuit. The man, who has not been identified, also is accused of setting fire to a house in the 100 block of Cutler Parkway in Akron shortly after midnight Saturday. No one was home when the fire was set. The 74-year-old retired plumber who lives there has been in Louisiana for two weeks due to a death in the family, his sister-in-law told the Beacon Journal.
Following the fire, authorities said the man drove to Cuyahoga Falls Police Department — an eight-mile, 15-minute trip.
Minutes before he arrived, dispatchers took a 911 call from a man shouting expletives.
“I’ll kill all you motherf******s,” the caller shouted. “Burn in hell, you f****** puppets.”
In the police department parking lot, the alleged arsonist struck three police cruisers before leading a pursuit, during which he crashed into the cruiser, police said.
Doctors at Summa Akron City Hospital are treating the man and the police officer, Ted Davis, for their injuries.
Though police would be responsible for the suspect’s medical bills should he be charged before his discharge from the hospital, Cuyahoga Falls Police Chief Jack Davis said that wasn’t part of the decision to wait on charging him. The man hasn’t been charged because authorities are trying to work out what led to the incident before doing so, the chief said.
“Due to his medical needs and because the investigation is ongoing, we’ve not charged him yet,” he said. “And we’re trying to figure out what happened beforehand.”
The chief added that the jail wouldn’t be able to treat the man properly should he be arrested now.
Jack Davis said the injured officer is recovering.
“He’s got a long road ahead of him left,” he said.
The officer’s family, in a Facebook post shared by the police department, thanked the public for its support.
“The gestures of love, prayers, and gifts are all deeply appreciated,” the post said. “At this time, they have turned their attention to Ted’s recovery, but are very aware of each and every act of kindness.”
Anyone who wishes to donate to the police officer’s family may do so by contacting the Falls Catholic Credit Union at 330-929-7341 or by stopping in at 33 Graham Road.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ngfalcon.