12-Hour Standoff Leads To Arrest, Norwalk Man Accused Of Hitting Woman With Dumbbell: PD

NORWALK, CT — A Norwalk man accused of striking a woman in the head with a dumbbell was arrested Monday night after an approximately 12-hour standoff with police, according to the department.

In a news release, Police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said a disturbance was reported at a Sable Street home just before 9:30 a.m.

When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who said Deval Pendergrast, 34, of Norwalk, threw her down a flight of stairs and struck her in the head with a dumbbell, according to Podgorski.

The woman was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Podgorski said.

Pendergrast then barricaded himself inside the home and refused to exit, according to Podgorski.

As crisis negotiators tried to make contact with Pendergrast and encourage him to voluntarily surrender, detectives applied for and received a warrant for Pendergrast's arrest, Podgorski said.

Pendergrast was arrested inside his home around 9:15 p.m., nearly 12 hours after the incident was first reported, according to Podgorski.

Pendergrast was charged with second-degree assault, violation of a protective order, second-degree unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct.

His bond was set at $150,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to Podgorski.

In an earlier statement Monday night following Pendergrast's arrest, Podgorski said the day-long standoff was resolved safely and noted officers secured the area surrounding his home out of an abundance of caution for nearby residents.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this undoubtably caused," Podgorski said in a statement. "We would like to thank the residents and motorists in the area for their patience, understanding and cooperation with officers throughout the day."

Podgorski also noted the incident was isolated and there is no danger to the public.