VAN BUREN TWP. — A Brown County man has been charged with six felonies — including three Level 3 felonies for kidnapping, criminal confinement and armed robbery — after an incident at the end of December.
On Dec. 30, Brown County Sgt. Colton Magner responded to a call for service at the home of 30-year-old Ryan Davis on Berry Ridge Road.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Davis had informed dispatch that he had been the victim of a breaking and entering and someone had stolen his dogs.
Upon his arrival, Magner made contact with Davis, who was walking towards them through a field with a rifle in one hand, the affidavit states. Deputy Jeff Dames also arrived on scene.
Davis reportedly told officers he had been through a break up and “believed people were after him.” Magner said in the affidavit that they spoke with Davis “at length” and he seemed to understand and was friendly with law enforcement, reportedly saying he would do whatever they asked of him.
Officers checked a barn at the residence and found Davis’ livestock was there, which he had believed was let out by someone else.
According to the affidavit, Magner made contact with Davis’ ex-girlfriend, who had received a call from someone in Jackson County who had found the dogs Davis thought were stolen.
The ex-girlfriend’s father brought the dogs back to Davis’ residence. Davis was reportedly “apprehensive” of the father, but understood he was there to help.
Officers left the scene, but were called back to the residence later that day after Indiana Conservation Officer Rob Klakamp informed them that Davis called him and said he had the father, the victim, at gunpoint.
Davis reportedly told Klakamp that the victim was trying to kill Davis. Davis also called local dispatch and Magner and Dames drove to the residence.
While en route, dispatch told officers that Davis was driving toward Jackson County with the victim in the truck.
Davis reportedly told dispatch he would allow officers to disarm him at a residence on N 800 West in Jackson County.
Upon their arrival, officers could see Davis standing on the driver’s side of a vehicle that belonged to the owner of the residence. Magner lost sight of Davis as he approached in his vehicle. Magner got out of his vehicle with a patrol rifle and proceeded to the back of the truck he knew to be the victim’s.
Another man at the scene, later determined to be the homeowner, told officers to wait and that Davis only wanted officers from Jackson County.
Davis was reportedly yelling profanities at officers and telling them to put their guns away.
While Magner waited behind cover, he heard a voice he knew to be the victim’s coming from inside of the bed of the victim’s truck, which had a hard cover.
The victim told Magner to “be careful” and that they needed to get Davis’ guns. He told police he was not hurt.
Dames told Magner he could see Davis moving back and forth around the back of the homeowner’s truck, consistent with training regarding gunfights around vehicles.
According to the affidavit, Magner reportedly believed Davis may have attempted to fire at officers if they left cover.
Jackson County law enforcement arrived and Davis cooperated with them, according to the affidavit.
Davis reportedly told Jackson County officers that Brown County officers were “in on it,” and that the Jackson County officers saved his life.
Davis was placed into police custody by Jackson County officers.
Magner cleared all firearms that Davis had in his possession, including four pistols, one of which belonging to the victim that was in the truck prior to the incident.
The victim reportedly told officers that after they left Davis’ home earlier that day, he and Davis cared for the animals and spoke at length. The victim told officers that Davis asked the victim if he ever thought people were trying to kill him, and the victim told Davis that everyone “probably has those moments.”
According to the victim, Davis allegedly then told him to leave and stood behind him as he was going to leave. Davis then drew two pistols and pointed them at the victim telling him to leave, according to the affidavit.
The victim told officers that Davis told him that he needed to get on the ground and fired several rounds in his vicinity.
Davis reportedly ordered the victim into the bed of the truck and closed the hardcover, locking the victim inside the truck and told the victim that if he got out of the truck that he would shoot and kill him, according to the affidavit.
Police secured a red flag search warrant to search Davis’ residence and seize all firearms and ammunition. According to the affidavit, a large amount of firearms and ammunition were seized at the scene, taking multiple patrol vehicles to transport the items.
Davis was ultimately transported to Brown County Jail and formally charged with the following on Jan. 3:
Kidnapping, Level 3 felony;
Criminal confinement, Level 3 felony;
Armed robbery, Level 3 felony;
Intimidation, Level 5 felony;
Criminal recklessness, Level 6 felony;
Pointing a firearm, Level 6 felony.
A jury trial is set for March 1 at 8 a.m. at the Brown County Courthouse.
