Police vs. Citizens: Utica man arrested for allegedly fighting an officer

By WKTV News

Story Created: Aug 6, 2009 at 7:25 AM EST

Story Updated: Aug 7, 2009 at 7:30 AM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A Utica man is arrested for allegedly fighting with a police officer, and trying to grab the officer's baton and gun.

Utica police say the alleged incident started when they responded to a car crash at the intersection of Mohawk and South Streets. They said the suspect in the accident ran from the scene. Police caught up with the man near McQuade Avenue and started to apprehend him.

Police said that's when they were approached by another person not involved with the crash, identified as Rosario Sortino, 53. They claim Sortino started to interfere with the arrest and began fighting with an officer. They said during the fight, Sortino allegedly tried to grab the officer's baton from his belt and even went for the officer's duty pistol.

Officers said they eventually subdued Sortino and arrested him. He's been charged with several crimes including: criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, harrassment, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

The other man arrested, John Gibson, 48, of West Winfield, was charged with DWI, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, and other traffic violations.
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