Waukon man arrested after hour-plus stand-off on County water tower

Tuesday, August 27 at 7:15 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a vehicle fire on Iron Mine Drive just north of Waukon. Upon arrival, Sheriff’s Deputies observed a 1999 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck on fire and fully engulfed, according to a report issued by the Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was unoccupied and the owner of the vehicle, Ryan Daniel Peters (formerly known as Ryan Troendle prior to a recent marriage and name change), age 34, of Waukon was not located at the scene. The vehicle fire was extinguished by the Waukon Fire Department.

Later that same evening, at 9:05 p.m., an Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy was contacted by telephone and received a report that Peters had climbed onto the water tower located at the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and Jail at 877 Highway 9 north of Waukon, approximately one mile from the location of the vehicle fire. Upon arrival, Sheriff’s deputies and other area law enforcement officers observed Peters on the water tower approximately 65 feet off the ground. The base of the water tower has a cage encircling the ladder to prevent access, but Peters was able to squeeze his way through the cage bars, according to court documents.

Officers proceeded to attempt to talk Peters into coming down from the water tower. Peters refused to come down and then removed all of his clothing, shouting profanity at the officers and threatening to jump off the tower, according to court documents.

After approximately an hour and 15 minutes, Peters did come down from the water tower and was taken into custody. He was arrested and charged with one count of Trespass and one count of Interference with Official Acts, both simple misdemeanor charges. Peters remains in the Allamakee County Jail awaiting arraignment, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for September 11 at which a plea may be entered on both charges.

According to court documents, Corrections officials are also asking for a hearing to revoke Peters’ current probation stemming from a November 2015 incident involving charges of Arson and Domestic Assault. Officials are also recommending a mental health and substance abuse evaluation. Assisting at the scene of the incident was the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, Waukon Police Department, Waukon Fire Department and Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance.