Man sentenced for assaulting Beaver Township police officer and taking his gun

Zachary Crespo, 36, was sentenced Wednesday to anywhere between 14 and 17 years behind bars for assaulting a Beaver Township police officer last year.

“We will always fight to protect our fellow law enforcement officials,” Prosecutor Gina DeGenova said. “Zachary Crespo caused serious harm to an officer who puts his life on the line each and every day to protect the people of Mahoning County.”

Crespo pleaded guilty in January to felonious assault and aggravated robbery, with an accompanied firearm specification.

The charges stem from a domestic disturbance call that happened last May.

The Beaver Township police officer was first on scene. Upon hearing screaming from inside the home, the officer entered the garage and knocked on the door.

The officer was then attacked and brutally beaten by Crespo, who also removed the officer’s firearm and fled.

After a lengthy search, Crespo was apprehended.

The hectic scene bolstered a heavy response from local and state law enforcement, due, in large part, to a mistaken belief that the officer was shot.

Over 150 officers were called in during the search in May, including four tactical elements, two drone teams and an airship, according to the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office.