MAN WHO PULLED BATISTA OVER, ARRESTED
- 01/17/2008 (12:49:23 am)
- Mike Informer
……
Overzealous fan?
Teen charged with impersonating officer, pulling over pro wrestler
Thursday, January 17, 2008
BY LORI MONSEWICZ
REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER
PLAIN TWP. A man has been charged with impersonating a police officer, accused of pulling over a professional wrestler during a fake traffic stop along Interstate 77.
The teen used a flashing red light in his car and falsely claimed to be an undercover police officer when he stopped WWE wrestling star Dave Batista’s vehicle Jan. 5, Stark County sheriff’s deputies said.
The 18-year-old faces a first-degree misdemeanor that can bring up to 180 days in jail if he is convicted. He was released from the Stark County Jail on Wednesday after turning himself in on a warrant.
WANTED PHOTO, AUTOGRAPH
The teen’s father said his son is a misdirected fan who did something he knew he should not have done.
“He had a camera, and he wanted to get a picture of him up-close and an autograph, and it didn’t work out,” the father said. “He knew better. He shouldn’t have done it. He’s in trouble over it now. He’s pretty upset about (the incident) ... sad, I guess. But he’s willing to do everything he has to do.”
The Repository does not generally name misdemeanor crime suspects.
The teen said he attended the wrestling event at the Canton Memorial Civic Center where Batista, born David Bautista, performed.
As the wrestler drove to a motel in the Belden Village area about 11:30 p.m. on Interstate 77 north of 38th Street NW, Batista pulled over when a silver two-door car with a flashing red light came up from behind, said Sgt. Michael Lanzer of the Stark County Sheriff’s Department.
“He said it didn’t appear to be a police car, but he didn’t want to get into trouble,” so he stopped, Lanzer said.
NOT A REAL OFFICER
The impersonator, dressed in camouflage, walked up and asked Batista for his identification, Lanzer said.
When Batista didn’t see anything on him that identified him as a police officer such as a badge, a flashlight or other police equipment, he asked whether the young man was a police officer. Johnson replied that he was working undercover, Lanzer said.
“Still, (Batista) said he felt something was not quite right,” Lanzer said.
Batista then drove away.
The young man followed him, the sergeant said.
When Batista turned into a well-lit Marathon gas station and called 911, the impersonator turned around and went south on Whipple Avenue NW, Lanzer said.
Teen charged with impersonating officer, pulling over pro wrestler
Thursday, January 17, 2008
 |
BY LORI MONSEWICZ
REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER
PLAIN TWP. A man has been charged with impersonating a police officer, accused of pulling over a professional wrestler during a fake traffic stop along Interstate 77.
The teen used a flashing red light in his car and falsely claimed to be an undercover police officer when he stopped WWE wrestling star Dave Batista’s vehicle Jan. 5, Stark County sheriff’s deputies said.
The 18-year-old faces a first-degree misdemeanor that can bring up to 180 days in jail if he is convicted. He was released from the Stark County Jail on Wednesday after turning himself in on a warrant.
WANTED PHOTO, AUTOGRAPH
The teen’s father said his son is a misdirected fan who did something he knew he should not have done.
“He had a camera, and he wanted to get a picture of him up-close and an autograph, and it didn’t work out,” the father said. “He knew better. He shouldn’t have done it. He’s in trouble over it now. He’s pretty upset about (the incident) ... sad, I guess. But he’s willing to do everything he has to do.”
The Repository does not generally name misdemeanor crime suspects.
The teen said he attended the wrestling event at the Canton Memorial Civic Center where Batista, born David Bautista, performed.
As the wrestler drove to a motel in the Belden Village area about 11:30 p.m. on Interstate 77 north of 38th Street NW, Batista pulled over when a silver two-door car with a flashing red light came up from behind, said Sgt. Michael Lanzer of the Stark County Sheriff’s Department.
“He said it didn’t appear to be a police car, but he didn’t want to get into trouble,” so he stopped, Lanzer said.
NOT A REAL OFFICER
The impersonator, dressed in camouflage, walked up and asked Batista for his identification, Lanzer said.
When Batista didn’t see anything on him that identified him as a police officer such as a badge, a flashlight or other police equipment, he asked whether the young man was a police officer. Johnson replied that he was working undercover, Lanzer said.
“Still, (Batista) said he felt something was not quite right,” Lanzer said.
Batista then drove away.
The young man followed him, the sergeant said.
When Batista turned into a well-lit Marathon gas station and called 911, the impersonator turned around and went south on Whipple Avenue NW, Lanzer said.
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