Penn Valley man threatens brothers, mother with knife, police say

A Lower Merion Township man is facing felony charges after making threats against his own family members. Lower Merion Police Department made an arrest on Dec. 1 after receiving multiple calls from those that ran from his apartment.

According to police, on Monday, Dec. 1, around 4:17 p.m., the Lower Merion Police reported to the 1600 block of Oakwood Drive in Penn Valley for the report of an “armed subject.” Upon arrival, police said they spoke with the brother of Ryan Cole Braker, 22, of Penn Valley, who said his sibling had come at him with “a large kitchen knife after an argument about their dog.”

Police said that Braker punched his brother and spit in his face. Additionally, Braker allegedly walked towards his mother and a second brother while holding the knife, yelling “I’m going to kill you” and “Get out.” According to police, Braker was “making hacking motions with the knife” as he came toward the brother, who was “visibly upset and shaking” when police came to the scene.

The family members were able to flee the apartment and call 911, police said. Braker is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with attempts to cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon, as well as misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats with an intent to terrorize another, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault, as well as a summary offense of harassment.

Braker posted a cash private surety bail on Dec. 2 to be released from county jail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Henry J. Schireson on Dec. 11 at 9:45 a.m.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.