SWAT team ends 5-hour standoff in Hammond
By Maria Amante mamante@post-trib.com/648-3072 July 5, 2012 9:32PM
Updated: August 7, 2012 6:36AM
HAMMOND — The Hammond SWAT team was called to the 800 block of Indiana Street after a man suspected of burglarizing a business near his home threatened to shoot police officers.
Officers chased the man from the business to his house, where the man locked himself inside. The vehicle contained stolen goods. Police were called to the scene at 5:50 a.m.
Officers tried to make contact with the man, who was not identified by Hammond police, and the man let dogs out of the house and encouraged them to attack officers. Officer Frank Eggers closed the gate to prevent the dogs from getting to other officers.
The man threatened to shoot the officers if they did not leave the yard. Police negotiators arrived and began talking to the man via a public address system. The suspect’s sister was brought to the scene as officers tried to diffuse the situation.
Police broke a window and threw a bag phone into the residence; the man started to communicate but became aggressive again and told officers they would need to break down the door in order for him to leave the home.
After five hours, officers fired tear gas and sent the SWAT team into the home.
The man was found in the basement and taken into custody without incident.
Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller commended the officers for sitting in position for five hours in full SWAT gear in high temperatures.
“We are drained but undaunted,” Miller said.
