A Portage man was taken into custody Monday after police said he battered a court security officer at a Porter County government facility in downtown Valparaiso before damaging one of the metal detectors at the building’s front entrance as he fled.
Police arrested Erik Tidwell, 23, of the 6500 block of Central Avenue, on felony charges of battery to law enforcement and resisting law enforcement, and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.
The incident, according to a report from the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, occurred around 12:36 p.m. at 157 S. Franklin St., which houses the prosecutor’s office, child support and 911 dispatch, among other county offices.
When Tidwell arrived at the building, a court security officer informed him there was a warrant for his arrest and asked him to turn around to be placed in handcuffs, the report said. Tidwell reportedly pushed the officer and took a swing at him.
The officer was able to get Tidwell against the wall and Tidwell was able to “wiggle” out, according to the report. Tidwell knocked over the metal detector in the main lobby, causing heavy damage to it before running out the front door.
Valparaiso Police located Tidwell at the store Lifestyles, 122 E. Lincolnway, took him into custody and transported him to Porter County Jail.
The officer suffered injuries to his left elbow and knees and told responding deputies he would seek medical treatment.
The metal detector, valued at $5,000, had major damage on its top and side was inoperable after being knocked over.
