Man accused of attacking victim with pole, charged with assault

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Bedford -- Joseph A. Rittenberger, 45, of Gould Avenue, was charged with felonious assault after police say he hit another man on the head with a pole during an argument at a Northfield Road bar March 27.

The victim was transported to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where he underwent surgery said Bedford Police Detective Tim Oleksiak.

He is in stable condition and recovering in the hospital, said Bedford Police Detective Tim Oleksiak.

Rittenberger pleaded not guilty to the second-degree felony at an arraignment March 28 at Bedford Municipal Court and his case was bound over to a grand jury at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.

Neither Rittenberger nor his attorney could be reached for comment.

Oleksiak said Rittenberger and the other man got into a fight and witnesses say the victim grabbed a metal pole from under a pool table and tried to strike Rittenberger with it.

Oleksiak said Rittenberger allegedly took the pole from the victim and hit the victim on the head with it, opening a large gash on the victim's head.

Oleksiak said Rittenberger left the bar, but turned himself in to police an hour later.

His bond was set at $25,000 and posted March 31, court records stated.

Oleksiak said he does not expect the victim to be charged.