Staff Report

Nicholas Tyler Riedel

WARSAW — A man was arrested for allegedly threatening a police officer while being under the influence of drugs.

Nicholas Tyler Riedel, 29, La Porte, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and intimidation, both level 6 felonies; and possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.

Around 11 p.m. May 8, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a report of a vehicle that left the roadway in the area of Lake City Highway. The reporting caller said the vehicle’s occupants had fled the scene. When the officer arrived in the area, he noticed a blue Chevrolet Malibu sitting sideways in the median with its headlights facing northwest.

According to court documents, while searching the vehicle, the officer found methamphetamine residue and a bag containing 9.9 grams of a synthetic cannabinoid.

County dispatch contacted LaPorte County dispatch to find a current phone number for the registered owner of the Chevrolet Malibu. A relative of Riedel’s contacted Warsaw Police and said she did not know where Riedel was; she noted that the last time she spoke with him, Riedel told her he was “going on the run” and was actively using methamphetamine.

About an hour and a half later, county dispatch told the Warsaw officer they had Riedel on the phone. Riedel told the officer his vehicle had been stolen and that he was notified by one of his friends that it was in Warsaw. When he could not find his car, Riedel went to a local hotel and called the police.

The officer met with Riedel and noticed his eyes were red and his pupils were dilated. Riedel also appeared to have difficulty keeping still. When the officer told Riedel he knew he was lying about his vehicle being stolen, Riedel said someone else was driving the Malibu.

Riedel said he fled the scene because he was on federal probation. He also told the officer he had last used methamphetamine five days ago. While being placed under arrest, Riedel admitted to driving the Malibu.

As he was being placed into a police vehicle, Riedel allegedly began to threaten the officer and challenged the officer to fight him. When the officer explained that the threats would result in additional charges, Riedel said he didn’t care and continued to threaten the officer. He also attempted to remove his handcuffs.

Riedel has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance.