A 55-year-old man who engaged police in a five-hour armed standoff Thursday will not face charges in the wake of the incident.
Area law enforcement arrived en masse to the 100 block of Garden Golf Boulevard around 11 a.m. on Sept. 1, after a man called 9-1-1 stating he was armed and had broken into a building — later determined to be an empty Mexican restaurant. Nearby businesses and roads were shutdown as a heavy police presence worked to contain the incident, and ultimately, the male surrendered without incident just before 4 p.m.
In a follow up interview with North Penn Now, Montgomery Township Police Lt. Gerry Dougherty confirmed the man was armed with a handgun. However, he described the incident as a mental health issue, and not a criminal investigation.
Early reports indicated the male had broken into a business and barricaded himself inside, and a felony criminal trespassing charge was initially filed against the 55-year-old man Thursday evening. That charge was later withdrawn, after further investigation determined the man had not actually broken into the building, but was instead located just outside of it, Dougherty said.
Police are now working with the man to ensure he receives proper mental health treatment.
Dougherty declined to provide further details of the incident, citing the mental health nature of the call. The name of the male, as well as his place of residence, are being withheld by this news organization as he has not been charged with a crime.
“Thankfully [the incident] was resolved without injury to anyone,” Dougherty said.
Dougherty said he was grateful for the response and assistance from area police departments, as well as the Montgomery County SWAT – Central Region Team, county negotiators and other county-level organizations.
“We really appreciate all the mutual aid we received from the area police departments and county agencies,” Dougherty said. “…and there were many of them.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Unit at 855-634-4673. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no fee for the service, and everyone is eligible for assistance. To learn more, click here.
See also:
Reports: Police Involved in Standoff in Montgomery Township
Photos: Shooting Incident in Lansdale Borough Leads to Swat Standoff in North Wales
Police Seek Leads in Suspicious Incident Involving Man with Knife in Perkasie
Police Release Surveillance Image of Suspect Vehicle Involved in Thursday Night Shooting in Lansdale
Victim of Thursday Night Shooting in Lansdale was Previously Shot in June on West Fifth Street
