Orange police nab local man

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: September 2, 2008

A Culpeper man wanted on local charges was arrested Monday in Orange, according to Police Chief Jim Fenwick.

Gary McDaniel, 24, had been wanted on two charges from separate incidents this summer: attempting to defeat a drug screening test June 5 and failing to appear in court Aug. 20.

On Monday, McDaniel was charged with another misdemeanor, obstruction of justice, after refusing to comply with an officer’s orders in Orange.

Fenwick said town officers responded to the Food Lion in Orange around 3:30 Monday after someone recognized McDaniel. Minutes later, Officer Robbie Carlton located McDaniel’s vehicle at the intersection of Twyman and West Main streets.

As Officer Jason Crickenberger arrived to assist Carlton, Fenwick said, that’s when McDaniel fled on foot. He didn’t get far, as Crickenberger caught him after running about 300 feet.

While trying to place McDaniel under arrest, Fenwick said, he held what “was perceived as an aggressive stance and what appeared to be a cell phone toward officer Crickenberger.”

When McDaniel failed to obey the officer’s orders to drop the cell phone, Crickenberger used pepper spray. “He was sprayed for refusing to drop his cell phone and not submitting to the arrest,” Fenwick said.

McDaniel is being held without bond at the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange.

He is scheduled to appear in Orange County General Court today at 9 a.m. McDaniel is also set to appear in Culpeper County General District Court Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .