Doyle Lawrence (Photo courtesy of Izard County Sheriff’s Office)
A man is accused of running a utility task vehicle off the road and making death threats during a charity poker run. Eighty-four-year-old Doyle Lawrence of Sidney was booked into the Izard County Detention Center Friday morning on a felony count of terroristic threatening.
According to the probable cause affidavit, an Izard County deputy informed Sheriff Charley Melton on June 3 a report was made of an incident occurring during the ATV/UTV poker run to raise funds for the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department. When the deputy notified dispatch, they told him an older male had complained about four-wheelers and side-by-sides going by his residence. The caller reportedly alleged one unit ran him off the road, and if he caught up to it, he was going to “slit their throats.” The call was dropped, and dispatch was unable to reconnect with the caller.
The deputy then contacted the original complainant, who stated his son participated in the poker run. He also claimed his son was traveling by Lawrence’s property and was stopped by him. The complainant alleges Lawrence threatened to shoot his son.
The complainant’s son later contacted the deputy, and he traveled to his residence to meet with him and a female. Both were reportedly in a side-by-side UTV when the incident occurred. The male victim alleged Lawrence has been causing problems for him and surrounding neighbors for years, but he was normally able to ignore what was said or done.
The route of the poker run reportedly went by Lawrence’s residence. The victim claims as he intended to drive by, Lawrence pulled out in front, causing him and the female to travel into a steep ditch. Lawrence allegedly blocked them from getting out, yelled at them to slow down and threatened to assault and “shoot them right between the eyes.” Lawrence also reportedly told them they were traveling on a private road, and he had shot at another side-by-side days earlier for hitting his dog. He eventually let the UTV pass, and the victim notified his father of the incident.
The deputy later traveled to Lawrence’s residence on Finley Creek and met with him. Lawrence claimed ATVs had run him off the road, and he jumped on them to talk to them. He also reportedly told the deputy he was glad he gave his pistol away days earlier, because he was “in the mode like he was when he left Korea.”
When the deputy explained there was a poker run for the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, Lawrence claimed he didn’t jump on the victim and denied running him off the road. Lawrence also claimed no one had the right to be on the road because it was an easement, but the deputy informed him it’s a county road open to the public. The deputy said if Lawrence continues to have problems with traffic, he needed to contact the sheriff’s office and not take matters into his own hands. Lawrence reportedly said he probably will not call the sheriff’s office.
Five days later, another male walked into the sheriff’s office and accused Lawrence of running numerous participants in the poker run off the road and pulling a gun on them. He also stated Lawrence has a sign belonging to the fire department, and several witnesses might come forward.
Lawrence was released from jail on Sunday after posting a bond of $5,000.
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