Lt. Billy Jones of the Richland Center Police Department reports that a man was taken into custody after a short standoff with Police at the Ramada Inn early Monday morning.
Jay M. Walsh, 56, was arrested and tentatively charged with 1st Degree Reckless Endangerment, Endangering Safety by the Use of a Dangerous Weapon, Disorderly Conduct, and three counts of Bail Jumping .
Lt. Jones stated that the standoff began after RCPD Officers attempted to make contact with Walsh, who was causing a disturbance at the Ramada Inn. Officers also had reason to make contact with Walsh concerning an altercation that had occurred the previous day at different location in the City of Richland Center. Walsh, however, refused to open the door. Based on information learned during the investigation of the altercation the previous day, Officers had reason to believe that Walsh may be armed with a firearm. After repeated attempts to get Walsh to exit the room were unsuccessful, the Richland County Special Response Team (SRT) was called out. The SRT responded and ultimately made a forced tactical entry into the room and took Walsh into custody without further incident.
All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
The SRT is a combined tactical unit comprised by Officers from Richland Center Police Department and Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Officers and Deputies on the SRT receive specialized training in various tactical applications to assist in the safe conclusions in situations such as this one.
Walsh remains in custody on a 10,000 cash bond. Lt. Jones stated that there is no further threat to the community.
In addition to the SRT, Officers of the Richland Center Police Department were assisted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.
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