A 22-year-old St. Peter man has been charged in Marion County Court with aggravated battery to a police officer and felony resisting arrest in connection with the latest of two incidents where three Centralia Police officers were injured.
Centralia Police say Drew Gherardini was spotted walking near Demick and Beech around four Thursday morning after being released from SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in connection with an earlier incident. Gherardini allegedly fled on foot. He was eventually stopped and taken into custody, but not before one of the officers involved stepped in a hole and turned his ankle.
Gherardini is expected to face additional charges in Clinton County following the first incident on December 7th where he was a passenger in a traffic stop at Lincoln and Broadway. He reportedly shoved an officer when jumping out of the car. In the attempt to take Gherardini into custody, a second officer was called and Gherardini ended up being tased with little impact. Police say he was finally taken into custody with the assistance of a third officer. One of the officers reportedly sustained an injury to his right wrist, while a second received a shoulder injury. Paperwork has been filed in Clinton County for two other aggravated battery to police officer charges as well as resisting arrest.
During his first Marion County Court appearance, Judge Douglas Gruenke ordered Gherardini held without bond due to the circumstances of the case. A public defender was appointed to represent him with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 2nd.
In addition to the new charges, Gherardini is also being held in the Marion County Jail on a no bond Fayette County felony theft warrant.
