A suspect is in custody on multiple charges this morning, after residents at Heritage Oak Park (19520 Heritage Oak Blvd) called in a suspicious person on Sunday.
Deputies responded to Heritage Oak Park on Sunday morning in reference to a male wandering the area and acting strange. The caller reported that the man rang their doorbell, and seemed confused when they answered. After the man departed their lanai, the caller observed that the man had forced entry to their locked screen to get in and ring the doorbell. As the deputies pulled into the community, they were flagged down by an additional resident who advised the suspicious male just walked into the clubhouse and stole a newspaper.
Deputies made contact with the male as he was exiting the clubhouse. The male, later identified as Richard Howard Schumacher (1/27/90), refused to cooperate with the deputies when they approached him. He was observed to be sweating profusely and responded with foul language when asked to identify himself. Deputies advised Schumacher that they were investigating a call for a suspicious person. Schumacher advised he was attempting to find a relative’s house, but then refused to provide an address or his identification. Schumacher then threw a punch at one of the deputies and turned to flee. After a short foot pursuit, the deputies were able to stop Schumacher using a Taser, however Schumacher continued to physically resist arrest and yelled at the deputies that he was going to “kill them”. During the physical struggle, a Taser was used a second time to gain physical control over Schumacher and handcuff him. After he was handcuffed, Schumacher continued to struggle and kick at the deputies until he was secured in a patrol car.
Several residents provided statements regarding Schumacher’s suspicious behavior, including the original caller with the damaged lanai screen. A representative of the community’s board additionally stated he wished to press charges in regards to the theft of the newspaper from the clubhouse.
A check of Richard Schumacher’s criminal history showed two felony convictions for resisting law enforcement and felony battery. He was released from the Charlotte County Jail on 9/20/2018 and did not provide a home address when he left. Per jail personnel, Schumacher returned to the jail on 9/22/2018 saying he was going to register. When the main entrance doors were opened for him to enter the lobby, Schumacher turned around and left on his bicycle, failing to register.
Richard Schumacher was arrested on the following charges;
1) Resisting Officer with Violence
2) Occupied Burglary of a Dwelling
3) Violation of Probation (2 Counts)
4) Failure to Register as a Convicted Felon
6) Petit Theft
This is an excellent example of a community member reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhood. Our non-emergency number, (941) 639-0013, is answered 24 hours a day by a dispatcher who can send a deputy to investigate. You can also call 9-1-1 if you have an immediate concern for your safety, or the safety of others.
REMEMBER- If you observe something unusual or think something looks wrong, report it. Our safe community is a partnership between all members, those with a badge and without.
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