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Hatboro SWAT Standoff: Suspect In Custody After 14 Hours

A suspect is in custody following an hourslong standoff with police in Hatboro, authorities said on March 15. 

Hatboro police

Hatboro police

Photo Credit: Facebook/Montgomery County Hero Fund

Officers were called to the 100 block of North York Road at about 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14 for reports of a man with a gun, police Chief James Gardner said at a press conference late Wednesday morning.

The suspect was "pointing the gun at passing traffic, tracking them," the Chief said. A nearby officer responded to the scene and made contact with the man, but he ran into an apartment, Gardner continued. 

He remained inside for hours and did not respond to police attempts at negotiation, officials claimed. Gardner described the suspect as "barricaded" but said no shots were fired during the standoff. 

"Ultimately, a short time ago, the SWAt team made entry into the apartment and took the subject into custody," the Chief told reporters around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

He is described as a 35-year-old Hatboro resident, though his name was not given. Police said he was undergoing medical evaluation at the time of the press conference. 

More details are to come, as officers execute a search warrant at the apartment and criminal charges are filed, Gardner said. 

The arrest concluded a confusing episode for the some 8,000 residents of Hatboro, who awoke Wednesday to a message from Borough officials advising them to shelter in place until further notice.

Authorities shut down York Road from Montgomery Avenue to Byberry Road, and Moreland Avenue from Penn Street and Chester Avenue as the situation unfolded. 

"Motorists and Pedestrians should avoid the area and seek alternate routes until the situation is resolved," the borough said. 

During the standoff, Hatboro-Horsham School District opted to cancel all activities Wednesday owing to the ongoing police activity, they told families and staff on Facebook. 

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