A squatter has been charged with attempted murder after nearly drowning a congressman in a pond during an Ohio police chase.
Officers from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Department were called to the home in the rural Franklin Furnace area after the homeowner spotted people there and called 911.
The first to enter the house on Block 100 of Big Doney Road found a man outside and the heavily tattooed Richard Turner, 28, in his underwear next to his girlfriend in the bedroom.
Turner appeared to be “under the influence of alcohol,” police said, but dodged past the officer and exited the one-story home.
“The police officer gave chase and the male suspect ran down a hill and jumped into a pond. He said, “You can’t touch me now, I’m in the water,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Richard Turner, 28, was nearly naked and “intoxicated” when officers spotted him
The homeless squatter from Kenton, Ohio is being held on $230,000 bail
The $90,000 home in Ironton where the officer nearly lost his life in pursuit of the suspect
The officer attempted to grab Turner but was dragged into the pond by the suspect, who grabbed his walkie-talkie to prevent him from calling for help.
“As the altercation continued, the suspect put the officer in a headlock and dragged him under water, causing the officer to pass out and nearly drown,” police said.
“The suspect then fled the scene, leaving the officer who needed medical attention.”
When more officers arrived at the scene, they arrested the other two people found at the home and called a helicopter and dog unit to search for Turner, who was arrested while returning to the home to collect his belongings in the early hours of the morning .
The injured MP was treated at a local hospital and released Monday night, WSAZ reported.
Turner was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault against a peace officer and obstructing official business, and burglary and is being held on $230,000 bail.
The homeless squatter from Kenton, Ohio was also served with a warrant for non-appearance on an original domestic violence charge and a warrant from Lawrence County for resisting arrest.
His girlfriend Tamera Clifton, 30, and third man, Birdine Cole, 39, have been arrested for burglary and are both stuck on $15,000 bail.
A warrant for non-appearance on an original domestic violence charge and a Lawrence County warrant for resisting arrest were also served on Turner
Tamera Clifton, 30, and Birdine Cole, 39, were also found at the home. Both were charged with burglary
Scotio County Chief Deputy Blaine Duduit said the attack on his officer was “extremely scary.”
A satellite view of the house and pond (Maxar Technologies, USDA,FPAC, GEO)
One of the bedrooms in the squat
Scotio County chief deputy Blaine Duduit said the attack on his officer was “extremely frightening” and he would be encouraged to seek counsel.
“He’s being offered to sit down and have long conversations with our wellness coordinator and go through the events because it’ll come back to you,” he added.
“It may not be tonight, it may not be tomorrow, it could be weeks before you were close to losing your life.”
“It’s like you can’t take a call as a routine call in today’s society.”