Altoona man behind bars after attempting to disarm officer on school grounds
An Altoona man is behind bars after resisting arrest and attempting to disarm a police officer on school grounds in the Bellwood Antis School District April 26, police said.
According to a criminal complaint, police were requested to the scene by school security officers in regards to a male behaving "suspiciously".
Police said that the male, identified as Daniel Richardson, 39, was on school grounds in camouflaged clothing with two pit bulls running loose.
The criminal complaint states that, as officers approached Richardson, he began saying things such as that he was a lethal weapon and assigned by special forces, and would change the subject when questioned by police.
According to police, as officers attempted to place the dogs into Richardson's vehicle, they were concerned his behavior was a medical issue and requested EMS services.
The criminal complaint states that Richardson went to retrieve his keys and was advised by officers that driving was not a good idea until he was checked out, and that he continued to talk about special ops and special assignments.
Police said that Richardson then began to shout about the officers, asking if they were going to use their guns to "shoot up the school" and asking if they were going to shoot the kids in their heads and then shoot him.
According to the criminal complaint, Richardson then attempted to get into his vehicle before squaring off with one of the officers, making threatening remarks.
Police said that officers advised Richardson that he was being placed into handcuffs for his safety and theirs, but that Richardson began to resist.
The criminal complaint states that, as officers were struggling on the ground to place Richardson into handcuffs, Richardson shouted "gun" and grabbed onto one of the officer's weapon.
According to police, they were able to pull Richardson off of the officer's gun, and that he accused the officer's of trying to rape him as they waited for EMS to arrive to transport him to UPMC Altoona for an evaluation.
Online court dockets show that Richardson is facing one felony count of disarming a law enforcement officer without lawful authorization, one misdemeanor count of recklessly endangering another person, one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest and one count of disorderly conduct.
Court dockets also show that Richardson is currently being held at the Blair County Prison with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 16.
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