Olney couple sentenced in assault after fleeing state

An Olney man and woman have reached plea agreements in an assault case in which a woman attacked a man’s estranged wife before fleeing the state with him.

Patrick Dillon Rater, 32, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, while his co-defendant, Summer Krick, 22, accepted a plea deal for the same charge for her role in the violent incident in September.

Ms. Krick accepted a plea deal on Oct. 1 and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Mr. Rater, who has a criminal history dating back to 2009, received a sentence of eight years of community supervision and was ordered to pay a $750 fine and court costs.

The assault occurred on May 15 at 11:13 p.m. at the home on North Avenue F of Rater’s estranged wife, Tanya Rater, 41, police said. Ms. Krick stabbed Tanya Rater with a small knife, causing multiple lacerations to her thumb, forearm, and back, police said. Tanya Rater was taken to Olney Hamilton Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries, Olney Police Chief Dan Birbeck said.

The altercation unfolded after Patrick Rater allegedly texted his estranged wife from an unknown phone, asking to enter their home to retrieve personal belongings, according to a police affidavit. Shortly after he arrived at the home, Ms. Krick showed up and accused Mr. Rater of attempting to reconcile with his wife, the affidavit said.

Security footage from a camera on the property captured Patrick Rater attempting to lure Tanya Rater off the porch moments before Ms. Krick rushed around the corner and attacked her, all while Mr. Patrick stood by and watched, the affidavit said.

After the attack, Mr. Rater and Ms. Krick fled the scene together, Chief Birbeck said. They left the state and were apprehended in Arkansas two days later when police pulled them over on outstanding warrants stemming from the assault, he said. Both were extradited back to Texas, where they faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Chief Birbeck noted that police had been called to the residence several times before for arguments and disturbances between the couple.

While the exact weapon used in the assault was never recovered, police believe a box cutter was used based on the nature of the injuries, he said.