Man arraigned for alleged assault of Crockery Township official

Thu, Mar 27, 2008

NUNICA — A 67-year-old township man was arraigned Wednesday on assault charges connected to the alleged assault of a Crockery Township official last month.

Robert Lee Kriger, 10579 Walnut, pleaded not guilty to assault and/or assault and battery before 58th District Court Judge Richard Kloote.

Kriger is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing April 9.

Police said Kriger grabbed Crockery Township Supervisor Leon Stille during a heated conversation on Feb. 25. According to Stille, Kriger was talking to Township Fire Chief Gary Dreyer — and "harboring a lot of complaints and expressing it," Stille said — when Stille approached the two men.

Kriger was upset with the township fire department, including what he considered slow response time on a fire call last summer and for a medical call three years ago, Stille said.

"I asked the man why he can't just be positive," Stille told the Tribune on Feb. 26. "I said, 'Why don't you turn around and be supportive instead of always trying to undermine the department?' That's when he grabbed me by the front of my shirt."

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene and took statements from both parties.

Kriger is out of jail on a $300 bond.