A Porter man has been charged with battery against a public safety official after pulled a BB gun on a police officer and created a stand-off situation during a traffic stop.
A Porter officer attempted the evening of July 31 to pull over a vehicle driving with a broken taillight and loud exhaust, Porter Police spokesman Sgt. Tim Blythe said in a release Thursday. The driver — identified as Gary D. Bolcerek — pulled into his driveway in the 200 block of Franklin Street, became irate and appeared to be reaching for a weapon, Blythe said, after which the officer called for immediate backup.
Brandishing a black pistol, Bolcerek went into his garage and wouldn’t come out, Blythe said. Chesterton Police attempted to use a stun gun and “less lethal shotgun” on him, but were unsuccessful.
Bolcerek eventually put the weapon down and was put in custody after struggling with several officers, Blythe said. EMS took him to a nearby medical facility for evaluation and later taken to Porter County Jail.
“The pistol that was recovered was determined to be a BB gun that substantially resembled a real pistol,” Blythe said.
Bolcerek, who also has a pending Level 2 burglary with a deadly weapon charge, among others, was charged with intimidation, battery to law enforcement and resisting law enforcement, all Level 6 felonies. He’s currently being held without bond.
