RAVENNA, Ohio — Court records from Portage County show 33-year-old Matthew Ziegler has pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated robbery and assault of a peace officer connected to an incident that happened last July in Ravenna.
His guilty plea last week came days just before his trial was slated to start on April 9.
The case dates back to July 13 when authorities said Ziegler drove to the Ravenna Police Department around 10:02 p.m. and stopped his vehicle in the roadway.
“He then began to vandalize one of the marked Ravenna police cruisers parked in front of the police station,” according to a press release from Ravenna police last summer.
After seeing the alleged activity on surveillance cameras, Ravenna police officers exited the building.
“Upon doing so, Ziegler immediately charged officers the first officer and attempted to strike him in the face,” according to the initial press release. “The second officer then deployed a Taser, and Ziegler was not affected. Ziegler continued swinging his closed fists and trying to punch officers.”
Ziegler is then accused of grabbing a second officer around the neck, and they both fell to the ground.
“During the attack, Ziegler tried to take the second officer’s holstered duty weapon, but was unsuccessful,” police said. “With the assistance of additional officers, Ziegler was placed under arrest.”
Ziegler’s sentencing date has not yet been set.