Boy, 16, pleads not guilty to assault on Toledo officer

7/9/2008

A 16-year-old boy accused of trying to assault a Toledo police officer with a baseball bat pleaded not guilty Monday during a detention hearing at the Lucas County Juvenile Justice Center, authorities said.

Cristopher Beane, 1328 Walbridge Ave., was charged with delinquency in connection with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, aggravated menacing, obstructing official business, and underage consumption of alcohol, a report said. He remains in the Juvenile Justice Center pending his next court appearance July 21.

The youth, who was under house arrest, is accused of threatening neighbors with a baseball bat after leaving his father's house near Walbridge and Hiett avenues about 8:40 p.m. Friday. When police arrived, the youth hid behind a fence. Officer Tyson Phalen approached the teen, who allegedly began swinging the bat at the officer's head, a report said.

He fled and hid in a nearby garage but was coaxed out with pepper spray, the report said.