Nearly naked suspected squatter ‘attempts to drown’ Ohio deputy in pond of property before leading police on a substance-fueled manhunt
- Heavily tattooed suspect was in his underwear when the officer stumbled across him in a bedroom
- He appeared to be ‘under the influence’ but wrestled radio from the officer to prevent him calling help
- Deputy dragged into pond after suspect yelled ‘you can’t taze me, I’m in water’
A squatter has been charged with attempted murder after nearly drowning a deputy in a pond during a police chase in Ohio.
Officers from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Department were called to the house in the rural Franklin Furnace area after the home-owner discovered people there and called 911.
The first to arrive at the home on the 100 block of Big Doney Road found a man outside and the heavily tattooed Richard Turner, 28, in his underwear alongside his girlfriend in the bedroom.
Turner appeared to be ‘under the influence’ police said, but dodged past the officer and out of the single-storey home.
‘The deputy gave chase and the male suspect ran down a hill and jumped into a pond, stating that “you can’t taze me now, I am in water”,’ the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Richard Turner, 28, was near-naked and ‘under the influence’ when spotted by the officer
The homeless squatter from Kenton, Ohio is being held on a $230,000 bond
The $90,000 home in Ironton where the officer nearly lost his life after chasing the suspect
The officer tried to grab Turner but was pulled into the pond by the suspect who grabbed his radio to prevent him summoning help.
‘As the altercation continued, the suspect got the deputy in a headlock and dragged him under water resulting in the deputy blacking out and almost drowning,’ police said.
‘The suspect then fled the scene, leaving the deputy in need of medical assistance.’
When more officers arrived at the scene they arrested the two other people found at the home and called out a helicopter and dog unit to hunt for Turner who was seized when he returned to the house to collect his belongings in the early hours of the following morning.
The injured deputy was treated at a local hospital and released Monday evening, WSAZ reported.
Turner was charged with attempted aggravated murder, felonious assault on a peace officer, and obstructing official business, along with breaking and entering and is being held on a $230,000 bond.
The homeless squatter from Kenton, Ohio, was also served a warrant on complaint for failure to appear over an original charge of domestic violence and a warrant out of Lawrence County for resisting arrest.
His girlfriend Tamera Clifton, 30, and the third man Birdine Cole, 39, were arrested on a charge of breaking and entering, and are both being held on $15,000 bonds.
Turner was also served a warrant on complaint for failure to appear over an original charge of domestic violence and a warrant out of Lawrence County for resisting arrest
Tamera Clifton, 30, and Birdine Cole, 39, were also found at the home. Both have been charged with breaking and entering
Scotio County Chief Deputy Blaine Duduit said the attack on his officer was ‘extremely scary’
One of the bedrooms in the squatted home
Scotio County Chief Deputy Blaine Duduit said the attack on his officer was ‘extremely scary’ and that he would be encouraged to seek counselling.
‘That will be offered to him to sit down and have long discussions with our wellness co-ordinator and go through the events because it will come back to you,’ he added.
‘It may not be tonight, it may not be tomorrow, it could be weeks down the road of how close you came to losing your life.
‘It’s just like you can’t take any call as a routine call any more with the way today’s society is.’
