Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Ronald W. Druschel 37, of Holton, has been accused of assaulting his wife and his father last Saturday in the early morning hours.

A 911 call to communications came in about 4:38 a.m. from 669 North Marion Street in reference to a domestic dispute. The call was made from Cynthia J. Druschel, 41, who reported she had been assaulted and chased out of her residence by her husband, Ronald Druschel.

When Sgt. Marvin Smith of the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department and Holton Town Marshal Billey Moore responded they found Mrs. Druschel hiding in the back yard. Upon further investigation, they found that Druschel had not only assaulted his wife, but his 85-year-old father, Francis Druschel, as well.

Mr. Druschel was taken into custody and placed in the back seat of Smith’s cruiser. Although he was handcuffed, he managed to escape the patrol car and fled into a wooded area near the residence. Other officers quickly responded along with K-9 units from Osgood and Versailles. The suspect was located not more than a mile from his home and taken into custody without further incident.

Francis Druschel was taken to Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville and later transferred to the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Cincinnati, Oh., where he was listed in stable condition.
Ronald Druschel is currently incarcerated at the Ripley County Jail on preliminary charges of Domestic Battery and Escape. The investigation is ongoing and more charges may follow.