A lengthy overnight standoff in Derry Township ended peacefully early Thursday when a man surrendered to state police, according to Trooper Steve Limani.
Benjamin T. Clawson, 42, was taken into custody on charges of simple assault, harassment and terroristic threats stemming from an incident that prompted troopers to be called to his Pizza Barn Road home about 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Clawson and two relatives, one of whom reported him as becoming violent, were outside when troopers arrived, authorities said in court papers.
“When we went to approach him, he became extremely violent, actually grabbed a metal pipe and became aggressive towards his (relative),” Limani said.
Troopers fired a Taser that missed Clawson, and he ran back inside the home and locked the door, Limani said. After learning there were firearms inside the house, police set up a perimeter and called in the Special Emergency Response Team.
After failed attempts at coaxing him outside, Limani said flash bangs and tear gas were deployed. Clawson surrendered without incident.
“We were very fortunate that no one was injured in this case,” he said. “In cases like this, time is on your side.”
Troopers had the road blocked off for hours. They returned to the station around 5 a.m. Thursday.
“Ultimately, after such an extended period of time it just comes to that point where you have to take action to try and evacuate the person to get them to come out of the house,” Limani said. “And it worked.”
Clawson was arraigned Thursday morning was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. He was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $1,000 bail. He did not have an attorney listed in court records. A June 26 preliminary hearing is set.
