Members of the Stark County Sheriff's Office are slated to receive special recognition today for their teamwork in apprehending a man dressed in a "Scream" movie costume brandishing a knife. WHBC reports that the arrest occurred in September after the costumed suspect, identified as 35-year-old Jacob Weisgarber, was spotted on Raff Road SW near 13th Street.
The altercation drew a significant response from law enforcement, resulting in Weisgarber's arrest down on Route 30, where officers used a Taser to subdue him. Major Ryan Carver, Sergeant Chane Cline, Deputy Chad Carruthers, Deputy Paul Brown, and Deputy Tiffany Adkins are being recognized with an Office Citation for their combined efforts to resolve what the sheriff’s office deemed a high-risk situation. At the end of the communication, Amy Packer, Patrick Arnold, Patricia Harper-Mutlaq, and Jackson Wendell receive commendation awards for their pivotal support roles.
In a statement detailed by Cleveland19, Stark County Sheriff George Maier applauded the staff, “We commend these individuals for their professionalism and restraint under challenging conditions. Their conduct during this incident is a testament to their training and their commitment to protecting all members of our community.” Body camera footage from the incident showed the suspect ignoring commands and continuing to run with the knife after being briefly hindered by a Taser.
Following the incident, Weisgarber faced charges that included felony counts of aggravated menacing and resisting arrest, along with misdemeanor charges of inducing panic and obstructing official business, as reported by FOX8. The suspect also had existing warrants unrelated to this event. Weisgarber's case has been bound to the grand jury, with a $50,000 bond set and no future court dates currently announced.
The sheriff's office will formally issue the citations and commendations, reflecting the successful collaboration between field officers and dispatchers. These awards recognize the immediate actions taken to safeguard the populace and underscore the importance of structured response protocols when dealing with volatile scenarios.
