Toledoan convicted of menacing after threat to firefighters

3/25/2003

A Toledo man pleaded no contest and was found guilty yesterday of two menacing charges filed after he allegedly raised his fists at two Toledo firefighters and threatened to assault them.

Willie J. Hardin, 35, of 1936 1/2 North Erie St., was being held in the Lucas County jail last night in lieu of $1,000 bond ordered during his arraignment in Toledo Municipal Court. Judge Gene Zmuda referred the case to probation for a presentence investigation. Another hearing is set for Friday.

Steven Stainbrook, a firefighter at Station No. 3, told police he was driving a fire engine north in the 1900 block of North Erie when the suspect stepped in front of the fire truck about 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The suspect allegedly threw a glass bottle at the truck, breaking the windshield and damaging the hood, Toledo police said.

Mr. Stainbrook and another firefighter stopped the suspect after he threatened to assault them. The suspect raised his fists at both of them and called them several names before he was arrested, police said.

The investigation, including the amount of damage, is continuing.