Nov 7, 2014 2 min read

Southwest Regional police arrested a Union Township man after he allegedly got into a confrontation Thursday with his girlfriend and then threatened to turn his rottweiler on an officer.

Dennis Metzler, 42, of 2 Hilltop Lane, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Police were called about 10 p.m. to the South Park Mobile Estates for a report of a man having a domestic dispute with a woman who had reportedly barricaded herself in a bedroom, armed with a machete.

When Officer Brian Stotlemyer arrived, he found Metzler outside the residence with his large dog. The officer told Metzler to put the animal away, but he threatened to turn the dog on Stotlemyer, police said. After the officer continued to order Metzler to put the dog away, he complied but reportedly continued to be confrontational.

Metzler, who police said had been drinking, also allegedly threatened to shoot the officer. Police said he was placed against the cruiser but refused to keep his hands on the vehicle as ordered by the officer. When Metzler moved toward the officer, Stotlemyer used a Taser to subdue him. Metzler fell to the ground but failed to listen to directives, police said. He reportedly got back up and lunged at the officer. Stotlemyer used the Taser a second time as officers from other departments arrived. Metzler was then taken into custody.

Metzler told police his girlfriend, Barbara Lynn Kruetzer, threatened him with the machete, and he had called police. She told police she was sleeping when he started the confrontation.

Police said she also was intoxicated. The machete was confiscated.

Metzler was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 18.