Toledo police officer assaulted downtown; man arrested after jumping into Maumee River to escape

5/4/2013

A man who slashed at a Toledo police officer downtown and jumped into the Maumee River to escape arrest was taken into custody late Saturday, police said.

The man got out of the river on his own and was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment of hypothermia, said Toledo police Sgt. Joe Heffernan. The man, whose name was not released, faces several charges, including felonious assault on a police officer.

The officer was expected to be released from St. Vincent after receiving stitches for a cut to the face and treatment of other injuries, Sergeant Heffernan said.

Her name was not released.

The officer had been working off duty at an event on Water Street. About 8:50 p.m., after the event, the officer saw a man beating a woman near Jefferson Avenue and Summit Street and intervened.

"The guy turned his aggression toward her. A struggle ensued," Sergeant Heffernan said. "At some point during the struggle, he produced a knife and began to slash at the officer."

The man ran off as passersby called attention to his wrestling with the officer.

Near Owens Corning's riverfront headquarters, the man jumped in the water, and police officers called for a Toledo fire department water rescue -- which was canceled when the man climbed out and was taken into custody, Sergeant Heffernan said.