George man charged with harassment

EPHRATA — A George man who was apprehended by a sheriff’s office K-9 over the weekend was charged with two counts of harassment.

Grant County prosecutors charged Lazaro Rodriguez, 27, of George, with harassment (threats to kills) and harassment (domestic violence) in Grant County Superior Court.

Rodriguez’s charges stem from two separate incidents on May 22. During the first incident the Grant County Sheriff’s office received a report of a verbal domestic violence incident in progress in the 200 block of East Montmorency Boulevard in George. A deputy arrived at the scene and contacted a woman and her two children, all three of whom were reportedly upset and crying.

The deputy was advised that Rodriguez became upset when he couldn't find his money and began yelling at all three of the individuals. After the woman explained to Rodriguez that no one had taken his money, he became increasingly agitated and began making threats and acting like he was going to throw things at the woman and her two sons.

The woman feared for her safety and the safety of her sons and barricaded herself in a bedroom, with Rodriguez allegedly beating on the door and smashing a DVD player on the ground. While the deputy was interviewing the woman Rodriguez started calling her and sending her text messages. The deputy answered the phone and Rodriguez began yelling and stated he was going to, “f**k someone up.” He was reportedly slurring his words slightly and wouldn’t tell the deputy his exact location in George.

Later in the day the sheriff’s office received a report of a male, Rodriguez, threatening to burn the same East Montmorency Boulevard home that deputies responded to earlier in the day. When deputies arrived at the scene they could reportedly hear loud music coming from the house, as well as items being thrown around and hitting walls, according to police records.

A deputy yelled into the residence and got a response from an individual inside a bedroom, which was reportedly closed. Based upon previous conversations one of the deputies at the scene had with Rodriguez in the past, the deputy was able to identify Rodriguez from his voice. Rodriguez allegedly stated several times that he was not going to come out and was ready to fight. He was advised that if he didn’t come out K-9 Grizzly would be sent in to apprehend him.

“Lazaro yelled back to me ‘send your dog in I don’t care.’ At this point we formulated a plan that would force the bedroom door open and arrest Lazaro,” wrote a deputy.

The door was forced open and Grizzly went into the room, but Rodriguez reportedly went into a bathroom and barricaded himself inside. Deputies gave him another chance to come out of the bathroom, but he refused and Grizzly was sent in. Grizzly reportedly made contact with Rodriguez’s ankle, but the suspect did not react to the dog. Rodriguez refused to comply with further directives and was told if he didn’t comply he would be tased, to which he stated “well do it.”

“As Lazaro said this his hands moved away from his body and behind his back. At this point I sent K-9 Grizzly in to make contact with Lazaro,” wrote a deputy. “K-9 Grizzly went under the door and made contact with Lazaro on his hand and butt. This time Lazaro told me ‘your dog is biting me. OK I’m coming out.’”

Rodriguez was transported to Quincy Valley Medical Center for treatment of the bites he received and eventually booked into the Grant County Jail.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.