Deputy without backup engages with aggressive suspect

Published 2:21 pm Monday, May 27, 2024

OCEAN PARK — A tense encounter between an agitated man and a deputy from the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office unfolded on May 13 in Ocean Park. The incident began after the agency was dispatched to the report of a home invasion.

The suspect, identified as Keith R. Schneider, 41, of Ocean Park, was allegedly caught by neighbors breaking into a home on the 1300 block of 270th Place.

According to court records, the sheriff’s office responded to the call at 4:33 p.m. on May 13. The caller stated they were calling on behalf of the homeowner and that the suspect had “taken a hammer” to a door to gain entry.

“I checked the residence and found there to be a large indentation or divot in the upper middle section of the door approximately 2 inches by 2 inches in diameter and at least an inch deep,” investigating Deputy Sean Eastham stated in court records. “The door would need to be replaced and did not appear repairable.”

A neighbor in the area was able to take two photographs of Schneider.

“[The witness] told me he had confronted the man with the hammer who was yelling someone’s name and telling them to come out,” Eastham stated. “[The witness] said he asked the man what was going on, telling him no one was in there.”

“The man replied, ‘Wouldn’t you like to f****** know? Go ahead and call the cops; they won’t show up anyway.’ While I was talking to [the witness], [the 911 caller] arrived back on scene,” Eastham added.

Schneider was tracked to a residence on the 26000 block of N Place and, upon contact with Eastham, was reportedly “agitated” and “aggressive.” He also claimed to be a 17-year-old being questioned by the police without a parent present.

“I explained I had plenty of evidence, and he replied, ‘You don’t have jack s*** mother******,’” Eastham stated. “‘I could end you right here and get away with it; you want to bet that mother******.’”

“As he said this, he walked toward me as we stood on the front porch in front of the door. I put my arm out to stop him and took a couple steps back. He said, ‘You want to bet who you’re f****** dealing with. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. I’ll turn you into f****** s***, I’ll turn you into a f****** corpse,’” Eastham added.

According to court records, Eastham backed off from Schneider and even drew his taser. Eastham also stated that he had no available backup at the time of the incident.

“Schneider states, ‘Go ahead and pull out the taser; you think a taser’s going to take me out?’” Eastham stated. “‘I’ll rip it off, and I’ll strap that thing around your neck, and I’ll tase you to death with it.’ I said, ‘You will, huh?’ He said, ‘I would if you tase me, so that’s a threat to you if you hurt or question me without my parents.’”

Eastham opted to leave to avoid a full-on confrontation and also alleged that Schneider told him, “You’d better bring an army next time.”

Schneider was arrested on May 22 and booked into the Pacific County Jail for intimidating a public servant, second-degree criminal trespassing, second-degree malicious mischief and first-degree rape.

The allegations relating to the rape charge were not available in current court records.

Schneider appeared for a preliminary hearing in Pacific County Superior Court on May 23. Judge Donald J. Richter set his bail at $10,000 and scheduled his arraignment for May 31.