Man taken into custody for allegedly endangering safety

A local man was taken into custody for disorderly conduct and endangering safety by intoxicated use of a dangerous weapon after an incident that occurred early Sunday morning, July 9, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

The county communications Center received a report of a verbal altercation taking place at 16289 Shedivy Dr., in Clayton Township, around 12:45 a.m. When a deputy arrived on scene, family members outside the residence advised that the suspect, Ronnie Hatlan, 44, had a firearm. Hatlan, who appeared extremely intoxicated, told the deputy he had a firearm in his pocket. A male subject, later identified as Jason Dowling, 41, who was with Hatlan, went against the deputy’s instructions and approached Hatlan. Hatlan went to a picnic table next to the residence and proceeded to load a .270 rifle. Hatlan was repeatedly instructed by the deputy to drop the gun but refused to follow commands. Hatlan yelled, “I’m not going back to jail” and “I don’t have a choice.”

Dowling attempted to take the firearm away from Hatlan, which led to a struggle between the two over the firearm. While Dowling and Hatlan were wrestling over the firearm, the deputy deployed his Taser, striking Hatlan in the back. The Taser immobilized Hatlan, who fell to the ground releasing the rifle. During the struggle over the gun, it discharged into the air, but no one was injured. Hatlan was subsequently arrested. During the arrest, it was determined that Hatlan did not have a firearm in his pocket and the only firearm involved was the .270 rifle.

Hatlan sustained a laceration to the left side of his face. He was treated on scene by Ocooch Mountain EMS and taken into custody.

Because Dowling had bond conditions through Grant County that prohibit him from consuming alcoholic beverages, he was taken into custody for felony bail jumping.

According to Crawford County Sheriff Dale McCullick, Deputy Kyle Mezera was the first officer on scene.

“He did an outstanding job and was able to take the suspect into custody without any serious injury,” McCullick said. “Deputy Mezera, who was threatened by Hatlan, would have been justified in using deadly force, but instead used Taser and affected the arrest.

Assisting on scene was the Boscobel K9 Unit.