A Portage County man was arrested early Monday morning after he allegedly hit rammed his car into a police cruiser and tried to flee the scene while under the influence.
According to the Portage County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was parked at the Circle K in Ravenna Township around 1:20 a.m. when he noticed 47-year-old Todd A. Casten "acting in a strange manner." Casten then got into his car and left the parking lot but drove off into a ditch area, prompting the deputy to initiate a traffic stop.
However, Casten allegedly then threw his car into reverse and hit the patrol cruiser. He then attempted to run away before being apprehended on Spring St., where officials say he resisted arrest. The deputy suffered bruises to his knee and thumb during the altercation.
Authorities say this is the ninth time Casten has been charged with OVI, and is also accused of felonious assault, failure to comply, and resisting arrest. He was issued a $50,000 bond Monday morning in court and was released after it was posted.
