A Lake Station man accused of trying to push a Portage woman beneath a moving train has been charged with three felony counts.

William J. Emard, 32, has been charged with criminal confinement, a Class C felony punishable by a prison term of two to eight years; residential entry, a Class D felony punishable by a term of six months to three years; and intimidation, also a Class D felony. Emard had been previously charged with domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

Porter County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Gensel told the Chesterton Tribune today that the investigation is continuing and additional charges could be filed pending the results of that investigation.

According to Portage Police, in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, Emard was taken into custody after a woman who resides in the Woodland Village mobile home park advised officers that he had forced his way into her home, dragged her by the hair and shoulders to nearby railroad tracks, and attempted to push her beneath a moving train. For an unknown reason he stopped, police said, and on hearing sirens he fled. Emard was apprehended a short time later by a K-9 unit.

The victim advised police that Emard had pushed her to within six feet of the train and that she could see the undercarriages of the cars.

Emard is being held on no bond at the Porter County Jail.

Posted 4/2/2008