NEW BOSTON — A Wheelersburg man was arrested on Saturday, after Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said his office received a call from the New Boston Police Department, advising that one of their officers was being attacked in the parking lot of their station.

Kaleb D. Ruth, 18, of 8211 Hayport Rd., has been charged with felonious assault on an officer, a first-degree felony; robbery, a third -degree felony; two counts of grand theft auto, a fourth-degree felony; and retaliation; a third-degree felony.

Thoroughman said his office received the call from New Boston police at 8:34 a.m. 

Officers responded to the distress call and Thoroughman said that the officer was taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center, where he was treated and released for their injuries. 

Ruth was also taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center for observation for possible drug usage. He had no visible injuries, nor did he report any injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

Thoroughman said, once Ruth was released from SOMC, he was transported to the sheriff’s office. Detectives learned that he was acting erratic in the parking lot of the New Boston Police Department. 

The sheriff’s office said Ruth then attempted to steal a motor vehicle and the officer attempted to detain him when he knocked the Taser from the officer’s hand. During the attack, they said Ruth punched the officer multiple times in his face and head.

Ruth then attacked an individual that was present and attempted to steal his vehicle, the sheriff’s office said. 

This person assisted the officer to fight the suspect until additional law enforcement arrived.

Ruth is being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $120,000 bond.

Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation that will result in more charges being presented to the Scioto County grand jury on a later date. Anyone with information should contact Det. Sgt. Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.