WEST NEW YORK — A man was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after the town’s mayor convinced him to end a nearly 12-hour standoff with police that forced dozens of neighborhood residents out of their homes.
Mayor Felix Roque said no one was injured in the stand-off, which began at around 3 a.m. and ended when Roque spoke to the man by phone at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Roque said the stand-off started with a traffic incident, but he referred further questions about the incident’s beginning to the police department.
The suspect had weapons inside the 57th Street home where he locked himself, Roque said, but he declined to specify how many. Roque said the suspect, whose name is not being released, was a young, former military officer.
“The great thing is he’s able to go now and seek help,” Roque said.
Roque said negotiators and the man’s family spoke to him throughout the day. Roque, who is also a medical doctor, said he convinced the man to leave the house when he realized the man’s father was one of his patients.
Residents of 57th Street, who were evacuated early this morning and treated to a meal at a nearby Spanish restaurant, started returning to their houses shortly after the stand-off ended.
“It’s been a long day for all of them, but at least now they can go home and take care of their families,” Roque said.
Several local police departments, SWAT teams from Hudson and Bergen counties, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and EMTs were stationed at Kennedy Boulevard and 57th Street for hours Sunday.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the incident, Roque said.
Subject surrendered safely. Thank you to all law enforcement agencies involved- Job well done!!
— ProsecutorSuarezHCPO (@HCPOProsecutor) February 5, 2017
Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati or on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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