Crossbow Standoff, Gas Station Fight Highlight Wild Week for Local Officers

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office dealt with a bunch of strange things last week, even besides the suicide attempt at the jail (that’s detailed in the story on the right).

Let’s start with the crossbow standoff.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20, Deputy Terry Guentert responded to a welfare concern about an agitated intoxicated subject at a residence in the area of the 1700 block of Slojohn Road. According to a report from the Sheriff’s Office, Guentert tried contacting the person inside the house. The report said the Sheriff’s Office learned the person inside had been threatening to kill a coworker and also had two felony warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Guentert, along with other deputies and DPS troopers set up a perimeter around the house. Lt. David Beyer contacted the Austin County Sheriff’s Office to request the assistance of their Special Response Team (SRT), of which Sgt. Randy Thumann is a member. The SRT arrived and attempted to order the person to come out of the house and surrender.

“Less-lethal gas rounds were deployed into the residence to try and force the subject to exit and surrender with no success,” the report said. “After exhausting other options the team made entry into the residence. The subject was located in the residence armed with a loaded hunting crossbow. Fortunately, deputies were able to take the subject into custody without anyone being harmed.”

The Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 58-year-old Clifford Kocian of Flatonia. He was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Sgt. Ron Naumann of the Sheriff’s Office told the Record on Friday that he and other deputies just recently attended training about the dangers involved in arresting a person armed with a crossbow. He said crossbow bolts can easily penetrate the Kevlar vests that officers wear for protection from bullets.

Gas Guzzler?

Then on early Friday morning, May 22, at approximately 12:57 a.m., Deputy Ryan Meagher was dispatched to the Village Market in Carmine in reference to a suspicious person in the parking lot. According to a report from the Sheriff’s Office, the person was pulling the nozzles out of all the gas pumps. Meagher arrived and contacted the male subject, “who was belligerent and behaving erratically,” the report stated.

“Deputy Meagher attempted to verbally de-escalate the situation and place the subject under arrest but the subject refused to comply,” the report said. “Deputy Meagher deployed his Taser but was unable to subdue the subject with it. Deputy Meagher attempted to place the subject in handcuffs and the subject resisted and the two engaged in a prolonged physical struggle.”

The Sheriff’s Office contacted Lee and Washington Counties who sent some of their deputies to assist. Fayette County Deputy Adam Mack arrived and joined Meagher in attempting to subdue the subject, “who continued to put up a lengthy fight with both deputies until they were able to restrain him,” the report said.

The deputies and the suspect were all checked by Fayette County EMS and were treated for injuries at the St. Mark’s Emergency Room. Both Deputies suffered injuries including cuts and abrasions as well as a fractured hand.

The subject was released from St. Mark’s and transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center. Arrested was 39 year old Teodoro Rivera of Rio Grande City. Rivera was charged with Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, and two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant.

Drug Arrests

Here’s a rundown of other incidents that the Sheriff’s Office handles last week:

On Sunday May 17 at approximately 10:32 p.m., Deputy Ryan Meagher conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Kia Spectra for a traffic violation near the 700 Block of South Kirtley Road. Both occupants exhibited signs of nervous behavior. Meagher was granted consent to search the vehicle and located methamphetamine in the possession of the front seat passenger. Arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance was 47 year old Tracie Rittman of Smithville.

Approximately an hour and a half later, just after midnight in May 18, Deputy Meagher conducted a traffic stop on a 1992 Chevrolet Corsica near the 1300 block of North Jefferson Street. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and Meagher located marijauana as well as methamphetamine in possession of both the driver and passenger.

Arrested and charged with Possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijauana were 44 year old William Mays and 45 year old Tammy Jo Linder, both of Marble Falls.

Then at 2 a.m. that day, Deputy Mack conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica in the parking lot of the Oak Motel in La Grange. Mack observed both occupants to be extremely nervous. Through further investigation, the front passenger was found to be in possession of methamphetamines which were located on his person. Arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance was Larry Busby, 20 of La Grange.

On Wednesday, May 20, at approximately 3:08 p.m., Deputy Jeramy Ellison initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on Interstate 10 near Flatonia. While speaking with the driver Deputy Ellison noticed a number of inconsistencies in the driver’s statements. Deputy Ellison received consent to search the vehicle from the driver and in the course of his search located two bundles hidden in the vehicle that were consistent with the packaging of narcotics. On further investigation one bundle was found to contain what is believed to be just under 5 pounds of methamphetamine, the other bundle was found to contain what is believed to be just under 1.5 pounds of powder cocaine. Arrested was 45 year old Joel Cordova of Houston.

On Thursday May 21, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Deputy Meagher conducted a traffic stop on a 1990 Chevrolet Silverado in the parking lot of Sutherland’s in La Grange.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. Meagher located an open container of alcohol, marijuana and a .380 handgun. The driver, identified as 47 year old David Ray Noak II of La Grange was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana less than two ounces and unlawful carry of a weapon.