Valparaiso Man Charged After Allegedly Threatening Woman with Knife
A 49-year-old Valparaiso man is facing felony charges after he allegedly threatened a woman with a knife, demanded she leave the country with him, and interfered with her attempt to call 911.
According to court documents, on July 30, 2025, Tadd Philip Oeder entered a woman’s office in the 6200 block of Dunewood Street in Portage. Oeder allegedly placed an opened knife on her desk and told her she needed to come with him, become his new wife, and move with him to Sweden for a new life.
The woman told police she feared for her life due to the strange comments and the presence of the knife. She stated that as she tried to discreetly dial 911 from her pocket, Oeder took her phone, telling her he was the only one who would be making any phone calls. She said she complied out of fear he might use the knife against her.
She also reported that Oeder was blocking the only exit from the room and she believed he would physically harm her if she tried to leave or refused his demands.
Oeder was formally charged on July 31, 2025, in Porter Superior Court with the following offenses:
• Robbery — Level 5 felony
• Intimidation (using a deadly weapon) — Level 5 felony
• Criminal Confinement — Level 6 felony
• Interference with the Reporting of a Crime — Class A misdemeanor
He is currently lodged in the Porter County Jail.
