(KMZA)--A Sabetha man is in custody following an armed standoff in Sabetha.
Police Chief Robert Wahwasuck says the situation that led to the arrest of 50-year-old James McKenney began around 11:00 Monday morning following a call received by his office. In that call, it was reported that a man, identified as McKenney, made claims that he was going to hurt himself and engage law enforcement in a shootout if they arrived.
Wahwasuck, in a press release, says his office went to work to find friends or family of McKenney who might be able to reason with him. It was learned from McKenney's wife that he had allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at her Monday morning, threatening both her and himself. Despite the threats, she was able to get away unharmed.
Wahwasuck says his officers set up a perimeter near the residence McKenney was at, quietly evacuating neighbors, while establishing contact with the suspect.
A series of phone calls with McKenney, described by Wahwasuck as upset, loud and heated, left investigators cautiously optimistic that he would surrender.
However, that didn't happen immediately, with Sabetha Police assisted at the scene of the standoff by the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Sheriff's Offices of Nemaha and Brown Counties, and the Hiawatha Police Department.
Around 4:00, the Patrol's negotiators team, equipped with an armored truck, was ready to move toward the residence when McKenney came outside and walked into the street. Yelling and screaming, and refusing to get on the ground, according to Wahwasuck, a taser was used on McKenney, putting an end to the standoff.
He was arrested, and booked into the Nemaha County Jail, facing charges of aggravated assault and criminal threat.
With McKenney in custody, Wahwasuck says a search of the residence led to the discovery of several loaded firearms, a large amount of ammunition, and substances believed to be marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia.
Following the resolution of the standoff, Wahwasuck issued the following statement:
I am thankful for all the agencies that came together to help resolve today’s incident. I am also thankful to Mr. McKenney for deciding not to take his own life or do any harm to the law enforcement officers that were there. I cannot express enough thanks to those that assisted and am very thankful that everyone came out of this incident with their lives and no long lasting injuries.
© Many Signals Communications
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