Additional charges have been filed against a Walkerton man who told Starke County police officers to leave him alone or he would kill them or himself. Donald Smith, 33, engaged in a 45 minute standoff with officers before he was taken into custody on December 15th, from a camper he was occupying.
Smith has been charged with Dealing Methamphetamine, a Class B Felony; Possession of Precursors with a Firearm, a Class C Felony; Intimidation, a Class D Felony; and Theft, a Class D Felony. He has a bond of $75,000 through Starke Circuit Court.
According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, officers were called to 8745 N. 1175 E. in Walkerton on Wednesday, December 15th for a theft report. When officers arrived on scene and spoke to the homeowner, the situation escalated. The homeowner said she wanted her son, Donald Smith, removed from the property. The homeowner attempted to evict Donald 15 days prior to this incident. Smith was reportedly staying in a camper and when officers knocked on the door and announced their presence, Smith told officers that if they didn’t retreat, he would kill them or himself. After a 45 minute standoff, officers talked Smith out of the camper and arrested him.
Inside the camper, officers located several rifles, pistols, ammunition, and precursors to manufacture methamphetamine. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Hamlet Police Department and the Walkerton Police Department.
