Wittig, 45, back in jail; bond set at $30,000 cash only

A Coatesville man charged with five felonies relating to a July attack on a police officer returned to the Putnam County Jail early Sunday morning.

Paul R. Wittig, 45, was charged with three Class D felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.

He already stands accused of two C felony counts of disarming a law enforcement officer, two D felony counts of battery resulting in bodily injury and D felony resisting law enforcement.

The original charges spring from a July 4 incident in which Putnam County Sheriff's Department reserve officers Denna De La Cruz and Barry Barger were injured.

In light of the new charges, Wittig's bond has been reset to $30,000 cash only. He remained in the Putnam County Jail Tuesday afternoon.

The latest incident began around 12:40 a.m. Sunday when Deputy Dwight Simmons saw Wittig's 1984 Jeep CJ-7 go left of center while eastbound through Morton on U.S. 36.

Simmons pursued the Jeep, and it continued to weave. After clocking the vehicle at 62 mph in a 55-mph zone, Simmons pulled Wittig over.

The deputy smelled the odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and asked Wittig to step outside.

While performing a pat search for weapons, Simmons found a plastic bottle in Wittig's pocket. Asked what was in the bottle, Wittig said it was Tylenol.

Pressed further, Wittig said there was also Cialis, "but nothing illegal."

However, the bottle contained several kinds of pills, one of which Simmons recognized a Clonazepam.

Later research revealed that the bottle contained two Oxycodone, two Clonazepam and one Hydrocodone -- all controlled substances -- in addition to Tylenol and Cialis.

Simmons performed three field sobriety tests, all of which Wittig failed.

After ensuring that Wittig's female passenger had a ride home, Simmons transported him to the Putnam County Jail for the certified breath test.

At 2:13 a.m., Simmons administered the certified breath test, which revealed a bloodalcohol content of .03 percent.

Simmons explained to Wittig that he was not facing operating while intoxicated charges, but would be was under arrest for possessing the drugs.

On Monday, the charges of possession of a controlled substance were filed. The prosecutor's office requested that Putnam Circuit Judge Matt Headley revoke Wittig's bond.

Wittig had been free on the original $30,000 bond with 10 percent allowed, having posted bond of $3,005 on July 6.

He is alleged to have tried to enter De La Cruz's police vehicle on July 4, then taking her weapon and seriously injuring her.

James Lance Weaver, 44, Coatesville, was also charged with three misdemeanors in the incident for his role in deterring Barger when he attempted to come to De La Cruz's aid.

Both De La Cruz and Barger were hospitalized following the incident.

A pre-trial conference for all charges against Wittig has been set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.