Man accused of threatening dispatcher during 911 call

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - A man was arrested after allegedly threatening two people, including a 911 dispatch caller, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Jorge Romero-Ruvalcaba, 45, was arrested on two counts of intimidation, one count of unlawful use of 911 and one count of resisting law enforcement.

On Monday, officers with the South Bend Police Department were called to the 700 block of N. Allen St. for a report of an unwanted person.

According to dispatch, this was the eighth dispatch call to the address in the past 24 hours.

During the latest call, the caller allegedly threatened the 911 dispatcher and her family. A second caller, who was in the same residence, said someone had a knife and was angry, reports said.

When police arrived, they met with the victim, who said Jorge Romero had a knife and had threatened him.

The officer went inside and found Romero in the kitchen.

Romero told the officer he didn't want to speak to him, proceeding to insult the officer's family, according to reports.

The officer left Romero and spoke with the victim again, who said he was in his room that evening when Romero began pounding on the door.

Upon opening the door, the victim found Romero standing in front of him with a knife. Romero then raised it and told the victim to get out, reports said.

Romero also told the victim, "you die today," the victim reported.

The officer once again met with Romero, but as he approached him, Romero started walking toward the front door, ignoring orders to stay seated, police said.

As the officer tried handcuffing Romero, Romero tensed up and allegedly refused to put his hands behind his back for the cuffs.

It took four officers to put Romero in handcuffs before he was placed in a patrol vehicle.

The victim then showed police where the knife was.

Officers obtained a copy of the 911 call, which depicted Romero shouting vulgarities at the operator and saying in a menacing tone that he, "hopes something happens to your mom and dad and daughter," reports said.

In turn, the operator reportedly sounded distressed by Romero's statement.

At no point in the call did Romero report a crime or ask for emergency assistance, police said.

Romero is being held on a $2,000 cash bond.

His initial hearing is set for May 5.