LaPorte Police arrested two reportedly irate men at different public locations in the first few days of 2015.
— Police arrested Gerald S. Anderson, 43, of LaPorte, after he reportedly waved a knife around and
threatened customers at the Pine Lake Avenue McDonald’s Jan. 4.
The police report stated that Anderson — now charged with intimidation, a Level 6 felony — was walking toward the east doors of the restaurant shortly after 8 a.m. when he pulled out a butterfly-style knife and swung it around with the blade in the open position. Witnesses said he warned that if anyone came outside, he would kill them. He reportedly stood by the doors, prohibiting customers from leaving. Witnesses told police they had earlier heard Anderson and another man exchanging words.
Upon searching Anderson, police found three knives. Anderson told police he was only getting coffee on his way to church. He then said one of the men in the restaurant had beaten him.
— On the evening of Jan. 1, LaPorte Police arrested a man who reportedly became combative with medical personnel in the parking lot of IU Health LaPorte Hospital.
The police report stated that officers found Ty Smith, 50, of North Liberty, lying in the parking lot near the emergency room entrance. Hospital security informed police that Smith had been brought to the hospital by EMS and became verbally aggressive. Smith reportedly threatened a security officer and swung at him. He was then Tasered by security and police were called. Refusing to calm down even after being Tased, Smith was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor.