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Off-Duty Glendale Cop Involved in Burbank Road Rage Incident
Glendale Police Officer Eric Ritter has been charged with misdemeanor battery in relation to an October road rage incident in Burbank, according to the News-Press. Ritter pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he struck Armando Alvarez following a dispute that began between the two men as they drove on city streets.
During the alleged encounter, the men were "cutting each other off" while driving in Burbank on October 14th. "At a red light on Hollywood Way and Victory Boulevard, the men exited their vehicles and got into a scuffle," a spokesperson from the Burbank Police Department explained. A witness sought the aid of an officer in the area who was issuing a citation to another motorist, and the officer was able to break up the brawl.
Glendale PD was notified, and have since placed Ritter on leave, however they are not commenting on the case, calling it "a personnel matter." Although Alvarado said on scene he did not wish to pursue charges, nor did Ritter, the Glendale officer is now "expected to appear Jan. 5 in a Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom in Burbank for a pretrial hearing." Burbank officials would not say what prompted the charges against Ritter.
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