Full Notification

Richmond – This morning, around 7:30 a.m., troopers responded to the area of I-70 west bound, around the 147 mile marker near Richmond, for reports of a man standing in the ditch waving an orange flag at passing cars. Trooper Tyler Painter arrived and found Bruce Heizman, age 57 of Lees Summit, Missouri, waving an orange flag at passing motorists.

Heizman explained to Painter he had been driving through Ohio last night, on his way back to Kansas, when he was arrested for operating while intoxicated and had his rental car impounded. After getting out of jail early this morning, he had hitch hiked a ride west on I-70 and was dropped off in the Richmond area. As Heizman was walking along west bound I-70, he was waving the orange flag at motorists trying to get a ride back to Kansas where he works.

Painter transported Heizman up to the Centerville Road exit, so he could get off the interstate and get something to eat. As the man was eating Painter got word from State Police Radio that a warrant had been issued for Heizman late last evening, for Level 6 Felony Threats of Violence or Terrorism, out of Kansas. Painter took Heizman into custody without incident.

After speaking with authorities in Olathe, Kansas, Painter discovered the warrant charge stemmed from Heizman making threats to return to his former employer there, in Kansas, and exacting revenge for his getting fired. Bruce Heizman was lodged in the Wayne County Jail to await extradition back to Kansas. Trooper Painter was assisted in his investigation by ISP Sergeant Brian Metcalfe.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law