SNOHOMISH – After evacuating neighbors, rerouting school buses and negotiating for more than two hours, police on Tuesday talked a barricaded man out of his home without having to use force.
The incident began at 1:45 p.m. after numerous hang-up 911 calls. The calls originated from an apartment near First and Alder streets, where an unidentified 28-year-old man who appeared to be having mental problems told police dispatchers he was armed and threatening to “cut the wires to all police departments,” Snohomish Police Chief Rob Sofie said.
Police responded immediately and tried to talk to the man, who threatened the officers, Sofie said. He repeatedly threatened to kill officers and refused to open his door, but continued to make 911 calls, Sofie said. The man told dispatchers that he had a lot of firearms inside and he would not come out.
Police evacuated adjoining residents, cordoned off the area and diverted school buses, which were dropping off children in the neighborhood, Sofie said.
Cmdr. Chuck Macklin called the man on the phone and began negotiating to get the man to surrender safely. Macklin negotiated for more than two hours.
Shortly before 4 p.m., the man agreed to leave his home. He was taken into protective custody, and with the help of mental health professionals familiar with the man, he agreed to be committed for a mental health evaluation, Sofie said.
Monroe
Vehicle accident: A Lynnwood man injured in a crash on a snowy U.S. 2 Tuesday was listed in stable condition at Valley General Hospital, while two other men were treated and released.
Gerald M. Batista, 56, remained in the hospital Tuesday night. He was driving a 1994 Jeep Cherokee westbound on the highway at milepost 47, and Jon L. Wetzel, 22, of Marysville, was driving a 1996 Dodge eastbound when the two vehicles collided in the westbound lane about 1:45 p.m., according to the Washington State Patrol.
Wetzel and a passenger, Sean T. Pritchard, 29, of Everett, were injured.
Wetzel’s vehicle was destroyed and Batista’s Jeep sustained damage estimated at $10,000, the patrol said.
Everett
Out of the hospital: An Everett man shot during an argument in the parking lot of a south Everett motel was released from the hospital Tuesday.
The 63-year-old was shot in the head and suffered other injuries in the altercation with another man about 11 p.m. Friday in the 10000 block of Evergreen Way. Initially, his condition was listed as critical and he was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The investigation is continuing, Everett police Sgt. Boyd Bryant said.
Lake Stevens
Sex offender meeting: Authorities issued a public warning Wednesday about a Level 3 sex offender who will live in the 3500 block of 113th Avenue NE in Lake Stevens beginning Jan. 31.
Jonathan J. Novy, 31, pleaded guilty in December 1998 to second-degree child molestation, third-degree child molestation and third-degree child rape involving three girls, ages 11 to 16. Novy owned and operated a Tae Kwon Do school in Arlington. Over a lengthy period, Novy sexually assaulted three of his students, Snohomish County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Jorgensen said. He used his position as their instructor to gain access to the girls, she said.
While in prison, he participated in a sexual offender treatment program and numerous self-improvement programs. He also had no infractions while in prison.
Novy is white, 6 feet, 180 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
The sheriff’s office and Lake Stevens police will co-host a public meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lake Stevens High School cafeteria, 2908 113th Avenue NE. Interested residents or those who have concerns about the issue are urged to attend.
From Herald staff reports
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
