Man Throws Hatchet At Parkgoers, Hides In Sewer, Threatens Officers | True Crime Brief
Episode 462, Oct 07, 2022, 03:00 PM
A man, aged 37, allegedly flung a hatchet and then ran down a storm drain, where he remained for many hours while police and SWAT officials tried to negotiate with him.
Bloomington police responded to a call of a guy "throwing a steel rod at many individuals" at Seminary Park on September 20 at 9:30 a.m. Upon arrival, police learned that the suspect, later identified as Eli Swartzentruber, had gone to a vehicle in the Kroger parking lot and retrieved a hatchet. He allegedly went back to Seminary Park with the hatchet, approached the group, and threw it.
Reportedly, he made a foot escape.
Bloomington Police officers reportedly searched the area and located garments matching Swartzentruber's description hanging from a railing "near a very huge storm drain" on First Street. Swartzentruber "advised them not to enter the storm drain and that he was armed with rifle" after police reportedly shouted into the drain for him to come out.
In case the police tried to enter, he allegedly threatened to kill them.
The police who arrived on the site radioed for support and "established a position of cover" until reinforcements arrived.
City officials provided blueprints of the storm drain system to the Critical Incident Response Team from the Bloomington Police Department and the Indiana State Police SWAT Team who responded to the location. In one part of the sewer, police "used technology designed to inspect the storm sewer in an attempt to locate the suspect but failed to do so," as they put it.
Investigators started taking off manhole covers and found a spent rifle cartridge that appeared to have been discarded. To aid in their search for Swartzentruber, the Critical Incident Response Team set off noise-flash diversionary devices deep into the sewer system.
Reportedly using a camera, the SWAT team dug roughly 500 feet into the sewer and found him. As per reports, Swartzentruber told authorities he was leaving by the north exit but really made his getaway via the south exit. There were reports that senior trooper with the Indiana State Police used his K9, Loki, to apprehend Swartzentruber.
Swartzentruber was rescued from the drain and transferred to the Indiana University Hospital for treatment. When he was taken into custody, he allegedly had an empty firearm on him.
A machete and a hand scythe were purportedly discovered by detectives during a check of the sewer. Swartzentruber was arrested for attempted violence with a deadly weapon and intimidation after being released from the hospital.
It took law officers over nine hours to negotiate with Swartzentruber, according to WXIN-TV.
Additional accusations have been brought against Swartzentruber on account of claims of sexual assault against a female victim. Around three hours before he allegedly hurled the hatchet, Swartzentruber allegedly went to a woman's home on West Koontz Road and requested her to "live underground" with him, according to the probable cause affidavit cited by WXIN. Swartzentruber allegedly pulled out a machete after she declined his offer and threatened him with a return visit, but she apparently ignored his warnings.
He supposedly came back a few minutes later to see if she was packed and ready to go. He allegedly began helping her pack even before she asked. He apparently confided in her that he had stolen a truck and would have to give it back before morning.
Supposedly in response to her stating that she wished to avoid jail time, he said "I will save you, free you. I've got this, and the cops will shoot me to death before they arrest me "meant to allude to the machete he held.
It is said that Swartzentruber then grabbed the woman by the throat, attempted to kiss her, undressed, and stuffed cash down her blouse. She allegedly feigned she needed to use the restroom before escaping through the front door. After allegedly fleeing while grabbing his pants, the woman reportedly reported the incident to the police.
Official documents reveal that he faces charges of sexual battery, residential entrance breaking and entering, and battery resulting in bodily injury.
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Bloomington police responded to a call of a guy "throwing a steel rod at many individuals" at Seminary Park on September 20 at 9:30 a.m. Upon arrival, police learned that the suspect, later identified as Eli Swartzentruber, had gone to a vehicle in the Kroger parking lot and retrieved a hatchet. He allegedly went back to Seminary Park with the hatchet, approached the group, and threw it.
Reportedly, he made a foot escape.
Bloomington Police officers reportedly searched the area and located garments matching Swartzentruber's description hanging from a railing "near a very huge storm drain" on First Street. Swartzentruber "advised them not to enter the storm drain and that he was armed with rifle" after police reportedly shouted into the drain for him to come out.
In case the police tried to enter, he allegedly threatened to kill them.
The police who arrived on the site radioed for support and "established a position of cover" until reinforcements arrived.
City officials provided blueprints of the storm drain system to the Critical Incident Response Team from the Bloomington Police Department and the Indiana State Police SWAT Team who responded to the location. In one part of the sewer, police "used technology designed to inspect the storm sewer in an attempt to locate the suspect but failed to do so," as they put it.
Investigators started taking off manhole covers and found a spent rifle cartridge that appeared to have been discarded. To aid in their search for Swartzentruber, the Critical Incident Response Team set off noise-flash diversionary devices deep into the sewer system.
Reportedly using a camera, the SWAT team dug roughly 500 feet into the sewer and found him. As per reports, Swartzentruber told authorities he was leaving by the north exit but really made his getaway via the south exit. There were reports that senior trooper with the Indiana State Police used his K9, Loki, to apprehend Swartzentruber.
Swartzentruber was rescued from the drain and transferred to the Indiana University Hospital for treatment. When he was taken into custody, he allegedly had an empty firearm on him.
A machete and a hand scythe were purportedly discovered by detectives during a check of the sewer. Swartzentruber was arrested for attempted violence with a deadly weapon and intimidation after being released from the hospital.
It took law officers over nine hours to negotiate with Swartzentruber, according to WXIN-TV.
Additional accusations have been brought against Swartzentruber on account of claims of sexual assault against a female victim. Around three hours before he allegedly hurled the hatchet, Swartzentruber allegedly went to a woman's home on West Koontz Road and requested her to "live underground" with him, according to the probable cause affidavit cited by WXIN. Swartzentruber allegedly pulled out a machete after she declined his offer and threatened him with a return visit, but she apparently ignored his warnings.
He supposedly came back a few minutes later to see if she was packed and ready to go. He allegedly began helping her pack even before she asked. He apparently confided in her that he had stolen a truck and would have to give it back before morning.
Supposedly in response to her stating that she wished to avoid jail time, he said "I will save you, free you. I've got this, and the cops will shoot me to death before they arrest me "meant to allude to the machete he held.
It is said that Swartzentruber then grabbed the woman by the throat, attempted to kiss her, undressed, and stuffed cash down her blouse. She allegedly feigned she needed to use the restroom before escaping through the front door. After allegedly fleeing while grabbing his pants, the woman reportedly reported the incident to the police.
Official documents reveal that he faces charges of sexual battery, residential entrance breaking and entering, and battery resulting in bodily injury.
If you like TRUE CRIME TODAY - Be sure to search and subscribe wherever you download podcasts!
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-a-true-crime-podcast/id1504280230?uo=4
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0GYshi6nJCf3O0aKEBTOPs
Stitcher http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/real-ghost-stories-online-2/dark-side-of-wikipedia-true-crime-disturbing-stories
iHeart https://www.iheart.com/podcast/270-Dark-Side-of-Wikipedia-Tru-60800715
Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/565dc51b-d214-4fab-b38b-ae7c723cb79a/Dark-Side-of-Wikipedia-True-Crime-Dark-History
Google Podcasts https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hdWRpb2Jvb20uY29tL2NoYW5uZWxzLzUwMDEyNjAucnNz
Or Search "True Crime Today" for the best in True Crime ANYWHERE you get podcasts!
Support the show at http://www.patreon.com/truecrimetoday