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Police Assault Suspects Arrested in Wheeling

Allegedly yelled ‘black lives matter’ at cops

WHEELING — As city police officer Brent Ruby struggled with Gregory Nightengale Saturday evening after allegedly being punched and bitten by the man, six females stood nearby shouting “black lives matter,” a growing response to local police when they show up to a call for service.

A criminal complaint filed in the arrest of Nightengale and Liza Lynn Nightengale details what took place late Saturday evening when Ruby responded to the 700 block of Main Street in North Wheeling for a call of tires being slashed.

The caller reported the man who slashed the tires was Gregory Nightengale, 44, of 11 Owl Court, Wheeling.

When Ruby arrived on scene, he said Nightengale crossed the street toward him, using obscenities and accusing someone of stealing his car.

After three warnings to calm down, Nightengale continued to advance, and that’s when Ruby attempted to place Nightengale under arrest.

Nightengale resisted and allegedly struck Ruby multiple times on the head and face with a closed fist.

The two struggled on the ground, and while attempting to handcuff Nightengale, Ruby was bitten by him three times on the arm, the complaint alleges.

As these events transpired, city Patrolman Cody Schwertfeger observed loud screams and fighting as he was driving down Main Street. Schwertfeger said that upon parking his vehicle, he observed Gregory Nightengale fighting Ruby, as well as six females punching, kicking and screaming “Black Lives Matter” at the officer.

Liza Nightengale, 47, of 716 Main St., Wheeling, allegedly kicked Ruby in the forehead. Officer Schwertfeger pushed Liza Nightengale back while ordering her to get back. She then allegedly came at Schwertfeger, threatening to further assault and injure him.

Both Gregory Nightengale and Liza Nightengale were in the Northern Regional Jail Monday on $100,000 bond.

According to department spokesman Philip Stahl, Ruby is doing OK and will be back to work soon. The assault remains under investigation.

As for the females shouting “Black Lives Matter” at Ruby, Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said that such rhetoric is not uncommon for officers to hear these days.

“You also get a lot of, ‘hands up, don’t shoot,'” Schwertfeger said.

Chief Schwertfeger said some alleged criminals will take certain measures to avoid arrest. He said a white man recently accused him of “racial profiling.”

“It really, truly does not matter to us what the color of someone’s skin is,” Schwertfeger added.

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