Standoff ends peacefully — Outside agency aids in arrest after standoff
Photo by Kim Dean/NLJ Officers attempted to negotiate with a suspect on West Railroad Street in Newcastle Monday, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Due to the potential presence of a firearm and the risks involved, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was requested to assist. The suspect, not yet officially named as of Tuesday afternoon, was taken into custody without incident.
A law enforcement operation on West Railroad Street in Newcastle ended Monday afternoon with a suspect taken into custody following a standoff involving multiple agencies, according to Newcastle Police Chief Derek Thompson.
The suspect was taken into custody around 1:50 p.m., and officials stated that there is no continuing danger to the public.
“There is no ongoing threat to the public and all responders have cleared from the scene. All road closures have been lifted and the situation has been resolved,” Thompson said Monday.
The incident began earlier in the day when law enforcement received a tip that a man with an active felony warrant for absconding from parole was at a residence on West Railroad Street.
Officers with the Newcastle Police Department and deputies from the Weston County Sheriff’s Office responded to the location and confirmed the individual was inside the residence, Thompson said.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the suspect had barricaded himself in a storage space on the top floor of the home.
“Law enforcement officers cleared the residence and ensured no other people or animals were inside,” Thompson said.
According to Thompson, the suspect told officers he would not surrender and claimed to have a firearm, prompting additional resources to be called to the scene.
Additional officers were dispatched to establish perimeter security and manage traffic, while Campbell County Health Emergency Medical Services was placed on standby nearby.
Officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect and gain his cooperation, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
Due to the potential presence of a firearm and the risks involved, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was requested to assist, Thompson said.
“Utilizing special equipment, the CCSO SWAT Team was able to make entry into the space where the subject was barricaded,” Thompson said.
The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
“The situation was resolved without injury to the public, the subject or responding personnel. No property was damaged during this operation,” Thompson said.
The individual was transported to the Weston County Detention Center, where he is being held pending a bond hearing. Additional charges are expected.
Thompson noted that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Agencies assisting in the response included the Weston County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, Newcastle-Upton-Weston County Combined Communications Center, Weston County Emergency Management and Campbell County Health EMS.
Charging documents were being filed on Tuesday, but weren’t available by press time. Check newslj.com for updates on this story.