A Salina teacher is under arrest in connection with a criminal investigation out of Newton.

Newton police traveled to Salina Monday to serve a search warrant on Ryan Brungardt’s cell phone for possible evidence of a felony crime. Brungardt, who is a social studies teacher at Lakewood Middle School, allegedly got into a physical altercation with an officer during a struggle over his phone, which punctured the lithium battery of the phone and started a fire.

The incident between Brungardt and the officer happened inside Lakewood Middle School during the school day. The fire prompted an alarm which resulted in the school being temporarily evacuated.

Brungardt was booked into the Saline County Jail for aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, battery on a law enforcement officer and interference with a law enforcement officer.

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ORIGINAL: An employee was arrested at a Salina middle school on Monday.

According to Salina Police, detectives from the Newton Police Department, assisted by detectives and officers from the Salina Police Department, made contact with an employee of USD305, at Lakewood Middle School.  This was in regard to a criminal investigation the Newton Police Department was conducting.

During this contact, the employee was placed under arrest and later transported to the Salina Police Department.  The name of the party, and potential charges, will be announced at a later period.

The Salina Police Department believes there is no active threat to any students or facility of USD305.

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If anyone has any additional information relative to this case please call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at: https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210.