One-sided standoff after pursuit in Welsh
Last Modified: Sunday, July 08, 2012 11:21 PM
By Doris Maricle / American Press
WELSH — After waiting three hours outside two residences, law enforcers from four agencies entered the homes to find the man they were looking for was not there.Welsh police, Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office personnel and State Police SWAT and Calcasieu Parish special response teams surrounded the homes at 1001 Martin Luther King St., near the corner of Prudhomme Street, and at 201 N. Polk St. after a man led them to the area following a brief car chase.
Police believed the man, who they are not identifying, may have been holed up in either of the homes.
State Police Sgt. James Anderson said the incident began shortly after 1:30 p.m., following the pursuit through the residential neighborhood on the town’s west side.
“There was a vehicle blocking the roadway on Welsh Street,” Anderson said. “When one of our troopers went to approach the vehicle, the subject took off in the vehicle.”
The vehicle was abandoned behind the residence on Martin Luther King Street, which authorities say belonged to a relative of the man they sought.
Search warrants were issued for both residences, Anderson said.
Authorities were unsure if the man — a local resident — was armed, and they kept other residents at a safe distance while they attempted to talk him out.
The man had no cellphone, so there was no way to communicate with him, Anderson said. Officers who tried to communicate with a loudspeaker received no response.
Police sent a robot into the residence on Martin Luther King to search it before SWAT team members threw a flash-bang grenade into the house as part of a tactical entry at 7:30 p.m.
Kelbin Victorian, who lives across the street from that house, was upset that he was not allowed to get back into his residence for several hours.
“I can’t go back home,” he said. “What am I supposed to do, stand out here and wait?”
Victorian said he was not aware anything was going on until he went outside to throw a bone to his dog and saw police all over the place.
Anderson said authorities did not want Victorian hanging out on his porch because they did not know what the suspect was capable of doing.
“Our primary concern is the public’s safety,” Anderson said shortly before escorting Victorian back to his home.
Posted By: citizen On: 7/6/2012
Title:
Don't know if he's armed or even in either house? If you have his vehicle and know who he is issue a warrant for the guy! Get your SWAT guys outta the heat so they'll be prepared for a real standoff.
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