Police: Man intimidated wife with chainsaw

State police say a Delta-area man intimidated his estranged wife with a chainsaw, preventing her from leaving her Fawn Township home.

Richard Terrell Podwell, 64, of 223 Quarry Road, is charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment, according to charging documents.

According to police, at about 11:30 a.m. July 10 at his wife's home on Fawn Grove Road, Podwell stopped his wife from leaving by driving his truck and parking it in front of her car. Podwell then got out of his car, chainsaw in hand, and proceeded to walk toward his wife while she was still in her vehicle, documents state.

His wife told police she was worried for her safety and she thought Podwell did this to intimidate her, police said.

Podwell told police he cut down a tree to block the entrance from his wife and said he wanted to cut another tree down there as well. He said he came to the home to protect his belongings, saying his things were still there and his wife was taking them, according to documents.

Police say Podwell had a protection-from-abuse order against him, stating Podwell must stay away from his wife's home.

Podwell was admitted to York County Prison on Monday and was released Wednesday after posting $5,000 bail, according to online court records.

— Reach Christopher Dornblaser atcdornblaser@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at@YDDornblaser.