OTTAWA — A 38-year-old man was jailed Friday night after Ottawa police said he threatened Ransom Memorial Hospital, and then fled them on foot. Jeremy Penland, Ottawa, is accused of posting threats to “shoot up” RMH on social media in his own name. RMH locked down the facility at 7:17 p.m., and police officers and sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the hospital to protect the staff and patients, said Ottawa Police Chief Dennis Butler. Other officers, deputies and state troopers formed a team to find Penland, Butler said. They spotted a vehicle leaving the residence of Penland’s friend. The vehicle was stopped on East Second Street near Cedar. The driver was cooperative but when the passenger was identified as Penland, he ignored officers’ instructions, jumped out of the vehicle and ran down the alley between Second and Third streets, Butler said. He ran west between houses until he was arrested near Cedar after he was subdued by a Taser, Butler said. He was taken to the hospital for examination after being hit by the Taser. He was booked into the jail on suspicion of making several criminal threats, aggravated assault, aggravated endangering a child, domestic battery, reckless driving, interference with a law-enforcement officer, and resisting arrest over three separate incidents. The driver was released after the traffic stop. No bond was set for Penland.
Monday, Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m.
