CLEVELAND — A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted an Ashtabula man who allegedly hit and injured a Cleveland police officer with his dirt bike last week in Ohio City.
Andrew Fusco is charged with two counts of felonious assault as well as failure to comply with an order from an officer and obstructing official business. Prosecutors say the 29-year-old was part of a group of 100-150 dirt bikers riding through the streets when the incident occurred back on July 1.
According to authorities, Fusco and the group were attempting to cross the Detroit-Superior Bridge around 9:20 p.m. when he ignored an order from an officer to stop. Police claim Fusco and another biker collided with each other before Fusco struck the officer, dragging the official underneath the bike.
The officer, whose name was redacted from the indictment, was treated at MetroHealth Medical Center before eventually being released. Fusco was arrested at the scene but was freed from custody two days later after posting 10% of a $40,000 bond.
"This is just one example out of many where dirt bikers do not listen to police and attempt to take over our streets," Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley said in a statement. "This lawless behavior is incredibly dangerous not only to police officers but also to our community."
If convicted of all charges against him, Fusco could face more than two decades in prison. His next court date has not been announced.