Lidwell

An Ashville man has been denied bail after allegedly attempting to break into a residence and threatening to shoot people inside.

Ryan Thomas Lidwell, 29, is also accused of dragging a police officer, who was transported to UPMC Altoona for treatment of significant injuries. For that incident, he is being charged with criminal attempt – murder of a law enforcement officer of the first degree.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the incident occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, when Altoona police were dispatched to a residence on the 3100 block of Walnut Avenue, where Lidwell was trying to gain entry. The 3:34 a.m. call turned into a possible hostage situation as it was reported a male was holding another male at gunpoint.

Police saw Lidwell leave the area around the residence and enter a Chrysler 300 sedan.

Officers took cover and gave verbal commands to Lidwell, telling him to put his hands up.

Lidwell drove toward officers, who held the vehicle at gunpoint and continued to give him commands to stop and get out of the vehicle, the report states.

When Lidwell reached an Altoona Police sergeant, he briefly slowed to a near stop, and the sergeant reached into the vehicle in an attempt to stop Lidwell. At that point, Lidwell immediately accelerated, pulling the sergeant, the affidavit states. The sergeant pushed away from the vehicle and fell to the pavement, suffering a broken right collarbone and a head laceration that required 10 staples.

Lidwell continued to the end of the block, bypassed several parked patrol units and fled at a high rate of speed through the city. The pursuit continued into Allegheny Township.

During the pursuit, an officer lost control of his vehicle due to weather conditions, crashing the cruiser into the guardrail, causing disabling damage, the report states.

While officers lost sight of Lidwell, they continued to search the area and conducted interviews with the victim and witnesses.

The victim told police the two broke up two days before the incident.

At 11 p.m. Friday, the victim and a witness were at the Shovel Head Tavern in Cresson when Lidwell arrived. The two did not talk to Lidwell and left to avoid a confrontation. They told police Lidwell pulled a rifle from his car and they believed it was a warning to the victim, the report states.

A few hours later, Lidwell allegedly turned up at the Walnut Avenue residence demanding to speak to the victim, according to the affidavit, which stated Lidwell attempted to kick in the door and said he wasn’t leaving without the woman.

Lidwell was attempting to leave the area when police arrived on scene.

Logan Township and state police assisted in the search for Lidwell, eventually locating his vehicle on the 700 block of Hemlock Street, Gallitzin. Officers also found a Chevrolet truck trying to leave the area and a traffic stop was made.

Lidwell was found in the truck, along with Tashia Nicole Kline, who earlier told police she hadn’t spoken to Lidwell in weeks.

Kline gave consent for a search of the truck and police found two rifles and ammunition. Lidwell was found to have ammunition in his pockets, police reported.

Lidwell, who had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, was transported to UPMC Altoona for a blood draw at 7:14 a.m.

During an interview with police, Lidwell provided false and misleading information on several occasions. He allegedly admitted to driving at a high rate of speed to throw the sergeant from the vehicle, and admitted to fleeing police and leading them on a high speed chase, the affidavit states. Lidwell also said he wasn’t allowed to have firearms due to being on county probation and due to prior arrests.

In addition to the criminal attempt – murder charge, Lidwell faces felony charges of criminal attempt – criminal homicide, aggravated assault, criminal trespass, fleeing, escape, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and aggravated assault by vehicle, along with five misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person, two misdemeanor charges of possession of a firearm prohibited, single misdemeanor charges of tamper with evidence, accident involving damage to attended vehicle and DUI, along with summary traffic violations.

He was arraigned Saturday night before Magisterial District Judge Andrew L. Blattenberger and remanded to the Blair County Prison.

Bail was denied as “no amount of bail or conditions can compel (Lidwell’s) compliance or ensure the safety of the public,” court documents state.

His preliminary hearing is set for May 7 before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones.

Kline was also taken into custody and faces two felony charges of hindering apprehension and a misdemeanor charge of tampering with evidence, the report states.

She was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. Her preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday before Jones.