Man in Custody After Standoff in Hatfield

A 33-year-old suicidal man barricaded in a home at 3220 Bergey Road in Hatfield Township was taken into custody around 5 p.m. after a three-hour standoff with Hatfield Township Police and the North Penn Tactical Response Team.

The North Penn Tactical Response Team and an armored Bearcat were called in because there was a threat of firearms, according to Hatfield Township Detective Pat Hanrahan.

Police were dispatched to the home at 1:45 p.m. for a report of a suicidal subject.

Hanrahan said a male in the residence made threats to a friend via text message that he intended to harm himself. The friend then called Hatfield Township Police because he was disturbed by the suicidal thoughts via text, Hanrahan said.

Police attempted to make contact to the subject via cell phone and via the friend.

"Numerous attempts made by the friend and radio to communicate with him were unsuccessful," Hanrahan said.

Police set up a perimeter around the residence, and the tactical team was notified.

"For the safety of everyone, the police SWAT was called in," Hanrahan said.

The tactical team also evacuated four employees of a business located near the residence.

Hanrahan said a hostage negotiator communicated with the subject via a bullhorn and public address system from the armored vehicle sent to the scene.

"The subject followed directions and cooperated with police," Hanrahan said.

The subject was transported via Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale to for evaluation.

The subject was not injured, Hanrahan said, adding that the subject was alone in the residence.

Montgomery County public land records shows the property is a commercial parcel with one living unit and a mixed residential/commercial structure.

The property is the location of the corporate offices of N. Paone Construction Inc, and it is owned by NRP Properties, LLC, of 590 Kohlman Circle, Hatfield. The Kohlman Circle address is owned by Nicola Paone.

According to court records, Paone was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with an interstate methamphetamine trafficking operation in 2007, and he would later plead guilty to charges of distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Paone was sentenced to time served, plus a $5,000 fine and five years of supervised released, which ends in 2014.

Police are continuing the investigation.

Colmar Fire Police had closed off Bergey Road from Richmond Road to Bethlehem Pike.

The North Penn Tactical Response Team is comprised of trained officers from Towamencin, Upper Gwynedd, Upper Merion, Lower Salford and Franconia townships and Telford Borough. VMSC medics are also part of the civilian response of the tactical team.