Crime & Safety
Police: Drunk Teen Threatens to Kill Officers
A Forks Township 19-year-old man was put in a restraining mask after spitting at police and threatening to kill two officers, according to court records.
A teen who was apparently drunk before noon Monday threatened to kill two township police officers and succeeded in spitting in the face of a third after allegedly stealing two cans of a malt beverage from a store and fleeing while the store owner chased him, police said.
Tyler Wayne Dodge, 19, of 724 Apple Blossom Road was reportedly wearing a mask-like device because of the spitting when he was brought in for arraignment later in the day before of . He also reportedly slammed his head into objects while at the district judge’s office.
According to a criminal complaint filed by township officer Craig F. Marshall, the case began when police were called to on Sullivan Trail at 11:25am for a theft in progress. The alleged thief, later identified as Dodge, was fleeing the store with store owner Bob Patel following him.
Police found the men on nearby Zucksville Road and Aarons Place. Patel told police Dodge had stolen two cans of Four Loko malt beverage. Police said Dodge at that point had one can on him.
Police took Dodge to headquarters for processing. He told several officers at different times that as soon as he was released, “I’m going to kill you” and “one of you is going to die when you least expect it.”
After processing, Dodge was about to be released from handcuffs “when he turned and intentionally spit into the face” of another officer.
Dodge was charged with aggravated harassment by prisoner, public drunkenness, purchase of alcoholic beverage by a minor, retail theft and terroristic threats. The complaint does not list Dodge’s blood-alcohol level.
He was committed to Northampton County Prison after failing to post $20,000 bail.
The above information was supplied by District Judge Jackie Taschner's office. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.