Standoff Suspect Threatened Woman, Child: Royal Oak Police

(UPDATED) ROYAL OAK, MI —A Royal Oak man arrested by police early Monday morning threatened the safety of a woman and a child inside a home in the 900 block of N. Connecticut Avenue. According to the Royal Oak Police Department, the man tried to pry a car door open after allegedly assaulting the woman and chasing her into the vehicle

Police reports said the woman called police while inside the vehicle and the man fled back into the home. Royal Oak officers arrived minutes later, entered the home and quickly located a 10-year-old, then took the child to safety.

The Southeast Oakland SWAT Team was called in to respond. The man still refused to respond to officers who were attempting to make contact with him by phone and loudspeakers. Tear gas was later shot into the home and the man gave himself up at about 5:30 a.m.

“Once the child was safely removed from the house, the officers made the prudent decision to step back in an attempt to deescalate the situation,” said Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue. “Although it took several hours, I am pleased we were able to resolve this volatile incident peacefully.”

Police said the man had access to a gun and a sword collection. The incident is under investigation. O’Donohue said formal charges will likely be sought upon completion of the investigation.

Earlier Monday: A man was arrested early Monday morning after an overnight standoff with Royal Oak Police at a home on North Connecticut Avenue. The incident started about 11 p.m. Sunday night when police received a call from a woman in the home complaining of a domestic dispute.

Officers arrived on scene minutes after her call, but the man refused to cooperate. Police fired at least 25 tear gas canisters into the home before the man finally surrendered at about 5:30 a.m. Monday, WDIV Local 4 reported.

The cause of the domestic disturbance is unknown. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. WDIV reported the man surrendered to police in the driveway of the home wearing nothing but a t-shirt and underwear.

Royal Oak Police closed a portion of North Connecticut, which is in the area of Gardenia Avenue and Campbell Road, for several hours during the incident.

Photo Courtesy Royal Oak Police