Man Arrested After Tense Standoff In Beaver County
HARMONY TOWNSHIP (KDKA)- Police have taken a man into custody after a tense standoff overnight in Beaver County.
Harmony Township Police were called to a home in the 2600-block of Lenz Avenue, just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, for the report of a domestic disturbance.
A witness told police that Robert Rankin was standing in his yard, with a rifle.
"When officers went up to the door, the man slammed the door and he would not open the door to their commands," Harmony Township Police Chief Robert Sivewright said.
When Rankin didn't come out of the home, a SWAT situation began.
Jacob Wood lives across the street from the home that officers surrounded. He heard the commotion and saw the armed officers.
"And then I woke up to the loud speaker in the van," said Wood, "And I was like, 'What the heck is going on?'"
Wood continued, "And I looked 20 minutes later and the local cops had shotguns. I've never seen a local cop have a shotgun."
About 30 officers were on the scene, including the SWAT team.
Chief Sivewright said the standoff lasted nearly six hours, because Rankin fell asleep.
However, Rankin eventually came out of the home peacefully.
"He was asleep," said Sivewright. "He was asleep. Alcohol is a factor also."
Sivewright said the victim in this case, Rankin's girlfriend, had a black eye and some marks on her body. He said this isn't the first time they've had a run-in with Rankin.
"We've had a few other run-ins with him...for domestics," Sivewright said.
Rankin faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and making terroristic threats.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
