STEELE -- Officers with several law enforcement agencies used force to take a Steele man into custody on Monday, after he barricaded himself inside a residence in Steele.
According to Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield, the department was notified that a Steele man was in possession of a firearm, and had threatened to harm himself and others on Monday. Family members afraid for their lives, fled the residence and contacted police.
Stanfield, along with officers, responded to the residence and were assisted by Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department deputies, Hayti Police officers and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, who secured the scene and began trying to contact the individual inside the barricaded residence. The suspect refused to speak to officers or family members and remained barricaded inside the residence.
Stanfield then contacted Lt. Tim Trowbridge, commander of the Kennett Police Department's Strategic Response Team for assistance. Ten minutes later, the Kennett SRT members arrived at the scene as other officers continued to secure the scene and set up and maintain a perimeter for the safety of the public. Officers at the scene received information that the suspect was planning on shooting anyone who attempted to enter the residence.
After several attempts by Stanfield to contact the suspect, The Kennett SRT Team made the decision to approach and try to make entry into the residence. SRT Team members approached the residence and tried to make contact with the suspect at the front door, but were unsuccessful. While at the front door, team members observed that the suspect was in the living room area of the residence and had laid the firearm down to his right side. At this point, a decision was made to forcibly enter the residence and secure the suspect.
After making entry to the residence and a brief struggle with the suspect, SRT members were able to safely secure the weapon and take the suspect into custody without further incident.
A search of the residence after the incident, revealed an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine, prescription medication, and several items of drug paraphernalia. All of these items were turned over to the Bootheel Drug Task Force officers at the scene.
The name of the suspect is being withheld, pending the filing of formal charges.
rharris@blythevillecourier.com