Hendersonville Man Faces Kidnapping Charges

Hendersonville, NC (July 7, 2021) - Hendersonville Police Department online report today about an incident that happened

Monday morning, July 5, 2021. A man forced his way into an elderly neighbor's apartment, refused to leave when ordered by a police officer. Below is the full report of the incident posted online by the Hendersonville Police Department.

Hendersonville Police Department online report this morning.

Christopher Dratz Arrest

At 7:45 am, July 2, 2021, the Hendersonville Police Department responded to a reported disturbance at an apartment complex in Hendersonville. The first officer to arrive found Christopher Dratz had forced his way into an 85-year-old neighbor’s apartment. The officer asked Mr. Dratz to leave the apartment multiple times, but he refused. The officer made repeated attempts to deescalate the situation, but when Dratz prevented the elderly tenant from leaving his own apartment, the officer attempted to take Dratz into custody. Dratz immediately resisted and violently attacked the officer. During the ensuing struggle, the officer tried to tase Dratz without effect. To create distance between himself and the suspect, the officer struck the suspect in the head with his taser multiple times causing lacerations that required medical treatment.

A second officer arrived and successfully deployed a taser that immediately incapacitated Dratz. Both officers were then able to handcuff Dratz and secure the scene until EMS arrived. Henderson County EMS transported Dratz to the hospital for evaluation and treatment for his non-life-threatening injuries.
Christopher Michael Dratz, age 40 of Hendersonville, was charged with felony breaking and entering to terrorize/injure, felony kidnapping, and assault on a government official. After medical treatment, Dratz was transported to the Henderson County Detention Center where he was placed under a $52,000 secured bond.
The Hendersonville Police Department, as with all use of force incidents, is carefully reviewing the officers’ actions in this incident. A full review should be complete by 5 pm, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Based on body camera footage of the incident, it appears the officers used an appropriate level of force in countering Dratz’s aggression. At no point during this incident was Dratz ever struck by an officer while handcuffed in any way as previously alleged.
“Police use of force never looks good,” said Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand, “however, I can confidently say that the officers acted with considerable restraint, poise, and professionalism throughout this entire incident. And, while it is unfortunate that Mr. Dratz was injured, I am more thankful that no one else was hurt because of his actions.”
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*Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.

by Marjorie Farrington