MASON CITY – A man accused of robbing a Mason City couple and causing injuries and later punching a Chickasaw county deputy in the face during a drunk driving stop has trial dates set in both cases.
Benjamin Cooper Duitscher, age 29, will face a jury trial on October 21, 2014 on charges of felony A first degree robbery and felony A first degree burglary. He has pleaded not guilty. The charges stem from an incident on May 31 when a robbery was reported at the 1500 block of South Coolidge Avenue. Duitscher, allegedly was at the residence with another person. The pair is said to have robbed and assaulted a couple who resides at a residence there.
Duitcher will also face a trial on December 10, 2014 in Chickasaw county court on charges of interference with official acts causing serious injury, assault on a plaice officer, third offense drunk driving, driving without a license, and operating a vehicle without owner’s consent. The charges stem from an incident on Monday, July 7, when a report of a motor vehicle accident within the city of Fredericksburg occured. A Chickasaw County Deputy Sheriff responded.
During the investigation into the motor vehicle accident, a preliminary breath test was given to driver, who turned out to be Duitscher, which indicated the presence of alcohol. Duitscher struck the deputy with a closed fist to the face. While still in close proximity to Duitscher, the deputy responded and knocked Duitscher to the ground. The deputy sustained injury to his face, neck and hand. The deputy deployed his taser unit on Duitscher. Duitscher was able to flee the area.
Several law enforcement personnel were dispatched to the scene to assist in the search for Duitscher. Later that afternoon, after alerting the public of the situation via local media, Duitscher was apprehended near the Fredericksburg Municipal Pool area and jailed and remains in the Chickasaw County Jail. He later pled not guilty.
FACING TRIAL
[poll random]
