The woman inside the Porter apartment was terrified as her armed ex-boyfriend pounded on the front door and threatened to “shoot somebody” unless he gained entry Monday night, according to court documents.
Someone called police and the man identified as Bryce Grant Martin, 31, of Porter, was stopped in his Chevrolet Tahoe on Lincoln Street, not far from the apartment, charges state.
Martin now faces multiple felony charges that include intimidation and residential entry. A search of his vehicle resulted in a Level 2 felony of dealing in cocaine, because 12 grams of the drug were found.
Additional felony charges include possession of cocaine and dealing in marijuana. He was also charged with misdemeanors that included unlawful carrying of a handgun because he has a pending dealing in cocaine case in Newton County, and possession of marijuana, paraphernalia and a controlled substance.
Police Chief Dan Dickey complimented Officers Matt Reynolds and Tyler McKinney during the Tuesday Town Council meeting for their “outstanding” work in handling the volatile situation.
It all started around 9:35 p.m. Monday, when Martin went to the apartment of his ex-girlfriend, who had a male companion at the residence, a probable cause statement filed in Porter Superior Court says.
Martin was known for carrying a handgun in his waistband, a neighbor told police.
The ex-girlfriend said that Martin was “loudly” striking the door in what she believed was an attempt to knock it down. She went to a back bedroom, fearing Martin would “hurt or kill her” if he got inside the apartment, the report said.
The man, who had been inside the apartment, told police that Martin at one point said: “If you don’t open the door, I’ll break in and shoot somebody.”
When Officer Reynolds approached Martin’s Chevrolet Tahoe during the traffic stop, he was overwhelmed by the smell of marijuana.
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Reynolds then conducted a probable cause search of Martin’s vehicle as he found three handguns, 111 rounds of ammunition, 12 grams of cocaine and 51 grams of marijuana. The search also yielded paraphernalia, scales and a razor with suspected cocaine residue, baggies and pills.
Martin is being held in the Porter County Jail. He does not yet have an initial hearing scheduled, according to online court records.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.