NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
22 September 2003

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES FILED FOR CONCRETE THROWING INCIDENT ON MULBERRY STREET BRIDGE

Harrisburg, PA—An Allison Hill man who threw chunks of concrete onto vehicles from atop the Mulberry Street Bridge has been charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault and other charges, Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced. Arrested in connection with the September 13 incident is 30-year old Chris Gruber, who nearly killed a passing Capitol Police Officer and another motorist when he threw large chunks of concrete onto their vehicles as they were traveling south on Cameron Street.

Reed said Gruber, of the 1200 block of Thompson Street, has been charged with two counts each of Aggravated Assault, Propelling missiles onto Occupied Vehicles and Criminal Mischief, and has been placed in Dauphin County Prison.

The Mayor said Gruber was riding his bicycle across the bridge around 4:00 a.m. when he stopped and threw two large chunks of concrete onto vehicles passing below. Both chunks smashed through the windshields and landed on the passenger sides of a 1993 Isuzu being operated by Darrell Wilson, and a Capitol Police cruiser operated by Officer Alan Bolinger. Both victims could easily have been killed or seriously injured by the projectiles, as could have been anyone occupying the struck passenger seats.

The Mayor said the incident was initially reported as chunks of concrete falling off the bridge, but another Capitol Police officer, Sgt. Charles Eledge, had earlier viewed Gruber looking over the side of the bridge down at the damaged vehicles. Sgt. Eledge then recognized the suspect when he later rode his bicycle to the site to get a closer look. Though initially denying involvement, Gruber later admitted to throwing the projectiles, resulting in charges being filed.

“This was a dangerous act that very easily could have killed both drivers,” said Mayor Reed. “Though such wanton and stupid acts of violence are more often committed by juveniles, in this instance we have an adult male as the perpetrator. We hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent possible so as to send a strong message to all.”

Reed lauded the quick and intelligent actions of both Wilson and Officer Bolinger in avoiding more serious injury or causing an accident after the chunks smashed through their windshields. The Mayor also extended the city’s apprec- iation to Sgt. Eledge for his observational skills and intuitive sense in identifying Gruber as the suspect.

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