Staff Report

William T. Hogendobler

MILFORD — A Leesburg man was recently arrested after battering three police officers and threatening a woman.

William T. Hogendobler, 33, 102 E. Prairie St., Leesburg, is charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a law enforcement officer and two counts of battery to a public safety official, all level 5 felonies; strangulation and two counts of intimidation, all level 6 felonies; and criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor.

On May 24, a Milford Police officer responded to a report of an unwanted person with a possible firearm at a Leesburg residence. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer could hear screaming and saw a woman running toward the front of a residence.

The officer learned Hogendobler was behind the residence, where he was detained until additional officers arrived on the scene to assist. With the assistance of a Claypool Police officer and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer, Hogendobler was taken into custody. As officers attempted to put him into a police vehicle, Hogendobler allegedly began to physically resist being put into the vehicle.

According to court documents, the Milford officer spoke with the woman about the situation. She said she was staying in a camper when Hogendobler began to bang on the camper’s doors and windows. Once Hogendobler gained access into the camper through a window, he saw the woman and threatened to kill her. The woman fled the scene.

The woman told the officer that she believed Hogendobler had a firearm and that he began to chase her. She initially did not make the report because Hogendobler told her if she reported the incident to police, he would shoot the officers.

When the Claypool officer told him he was being charged with intimidation, Hogendobler said he did not tell the woman he was going to kill her. He then began banging on the police vehicle’s door and plexiglass. He also started to push the rear passenger side door open, causing a four to six-inch gap between the door and frame of the vehicle.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer opened the vehicle’s door to stop further damage when Hogendobler lunged out of the patrol vehicle and grabbed the Claypool officer by the throat, choking and hitting the officer. The Kosciusko and Milford officers began to physically subdue Hogendobler while the Claypool officer deployed his taser.

While physically resisting law enforcement, Hogendobler allegedly hit the Milford officer in the groin and face, and also hit the Kosciusko County officer in the groin.

When asked why he battered the officers, Hogendobler said, “Might as well do something to get in trouble.” As he was being taken to the Kosciusko County Jail, Hogendobler threatened to harm the Milford officer. Hogendobler then freed his hands a second time, hitting the plexiglass with his head and fists. He also inappropriately displayed himself to the officer.

As a result of Hogendobler’s actions, the Milford Police vehicle sustained an estimated $1,000 in damage.

Hogendobler was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on May 24, with a $26,250 surety and cash bond.