LEBANON, Pa. — Lebanon City Police have filed a criminal charge against the man they say is responsible for a several-hour police standoff in the city Tuesday afternoon.
Thomas Cahill Jr., 58, of Lebanon, is charged with one count of terroristic threats in connection to a standoff that began around noon on Tuesday on the 800 block of Chestnut Street and lasted for several hours before the scene was cleared, according to police.
Additional charges against Cahill may be coming after investigators consult with the Lebanon County District Attorney's Office, police said.
According to police, the standoff began Tuesday when Cahill Jr. allegedly threatened a property manager, who contacted police and reported that Cahill Jr. might have long guns in his possession.
Responding officers attempted to make contact with Cahill Jr. to investigate the threat further, but he allegedly refused to exit the property and would not allow police to enter.
Cahill Jr., who spoke to police by phone throughout the incident, was intoxicated, according to police.
Authorities established a perimeter around the area, and roads were closed out of an abundance of caution, police said. The closures allowed officers to evaluate the information and to ensure the safety of citizens and all parties involved.
Eventually, police cleared the scene without taking Cahill Jr. into custody after a review of all the available information and in light of prior contacts between the suspect and police, the department said.
While the scene was cleared, police said, officers continued to monitor the location "by other means," though police did not specify what those means were.
On Wednesday, police obtained an arrest warrant for Cahill Jr. and a search warrant on the property on the 800 block of Chestnut Street.
Cahill Jr. was taken into custody without incident Thursday afternoon and transported to Central Booking, police said.
On Thursday, a search of the property recovered three long guns, according to police.
"The Lebanon City Police Department makes every effort to release information in a timely manner," police said. "There are occasions that providing information, specifically regarding police tactics and reasoning for decisions, during the course of an incident and thereafter, can interfere with an investigation and jeopardize the safety of the community and parties involved. Information will become available when it is safe and prudent to do so. The safety of the public, any persons involved, and first responders is a top priority of the Lebanon City Police Department."
