La Pine man indicted in two violent police encounters

A 50-year-old La Pine man was indicted Monday by a Deschutes County grand jury on 14 counts in connection with two encounters with police in the past two months, the second involving an alleged assault of an Oregon State Police trooper and attempt to take his rifle, District Attorney John Hummel said.

The charges against Alexander Di Rienzo include assaulting a public safety officer, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree robbery, escape, resisting arrest and escape, involving incidents on Sept. 8 and Oct. 22, Hummel said.

Prosecutors allege that in the September incident in southern Deschutes County, Di Rienzo encountered deputies conducting a traffic investigation, the DA said.

“Apparently, Mr. Di Rienzo disagreed with the actions of the deputies because he started shining a bright white light into the deputies’ cars,” Hummel wrote.

Di Rienzo eventually pulled his car in front of one of the deputies’ patrol cars, blocking the deputy from leaving, the DA said. As a result, the deputy tried to temporarily detain Di Rienzo to investigate his actions, but he shouted, “Hell, no” and drove off to his nearby home.

“When Di Rienzo got to his driveway, he got out of his car with a gun in his hand,” Hummel said. ” The deputy yelled to Di Rienzo to drop his weapon. Di Rienzo yelled, “No,” and got back in his car and sped away further onto his property.”

Hummel said the man “eventually walked back to the deputies to further express his displeasure with their actions. During this time, Di Rienzo had his gun with him and told one of the deputies that if the deputy did not put his gun away that Di Rienzo would have to “draw down” on the deputy. Di Rienzo then retreated onto his property. “

On Oct. 22, prosecutors allege an OSP trooper tried to stop Di Rienzo’s car, based on his erratic driving, again in the La Pine area.

Di Rienzo sped off and drove two miles to his driveway where he stopped, Hummel said. The trooper got out of his car with his weapon drawn and told Di Rienzo he was under arrest and to get on the ground. Di Rienzo refused to comply and began walking away, Hummel said.

The trooper tazed and pepper-sprayed Di Rienzo, but these efforts were ineffective. Hummel said He advanced on the trooper, grabbed his loaded AR-I 5 rifle and tried to pull it away as he was punching the trooper in his face, Hummel said.

“The trooper maintained his grip on his rifle but lost his footing and went to the ground,” Hummel said. ” Di Rienzo then fled.

“For the safety of Di Rienzo and law enforcement officers, in each incident the officers smartly chose not to immediately pursue Di Rienzo,” the DA said.

Di Rienzo was arrested on Oct. 24 and taken to the county jail, with bail set at $300,000.

“The allegations against Mr. Di Rienzo are concerning,” Hummel said. “I will aggressively defend the right of citizens to freely, repeatedly, and even vulgarly criticize government officials. I will also aggressively prosecute citizens who cross the line by assaulting law enforcement officers and/or failing to comply with their lawful directives.”

Di Rienzo is scheduled for arraignment on the indictment Tuesday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. before Judge Randy Miller, court records show.