ELYRIA — A 32-year-old Elyria man is facing felony charges after police said a domestic violence incident on Hartford Drive escalated into allegations involving physical assault, threats with a knife and a struggle with officers during his arrest.
According to an Elyria Police Department report, officers were dispatched around 9:20 a.m. Friday, May 8, to the 800 block of Hartford Drive for a reported domestic violence incident.
When officers arrived, police said they found a woman outside the residence crying and visibly upset. Police said the incident began as a domestic dispute earlier that morning before escalating into an alleged assault.
According to the report, the woman alleged Darius Ward pushed her to the ground, struck her and kicked her in the mouth during the altercation. Police documented injuries including swelling and redness near one eye, a bump on her forehead, torn fingernails and damage to her clothing.
The woman also told officers Ward grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened to kill her during the incident, according to the report.
Police later located Ward nearby and attempted to take him into custody. Officers stated Ward physically resisted arrest by pulling away, kicking at officers and refusing commands while being escorted to a patrol vehicle. The report also states Ward struck his head against the cruiser partition and knocked an officer’s body camera from his uniform during the struggle.
Ward was transported to the Lorain County Jail. Jail records show he was booked May 8 and held with no bond listed.
According to the report, Ward was charged with:
- Felonious assault, a second-degree felony
- Domestic violence, a third-degree felony
- Resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor
Police noted in the report that Ward had two prior domestic violence convictions, which elevated the domestic violence charge to a felony-level offense.
