A 63 year old man is now in custody after he harassed pedestrians and vandalized a utility room inside a Post Avenue business.
Shortly after 3:30 pm today, police were called to Western and Columbia following calls of a man brandishing a stick and harassing people on the street. When confronted by passersby, the man barricaded himself inside a business utility room in the 800 block of Post Avenue. Once inside the room, the man launched fluorescent bulbs, bottles and other debris at officers and began breaking out windows. Officers believe that the man also used an ax to damage the plumbing inside, causing some minor flooding.
Officers closed down the block and negotiators and SWAT responded to the scene. Negotiator Larry Longley quickly established a rapport with the suspect, successfully convincing him to surrender.
No police officers were injured and no force was used during this encounter.
The suspect was later booked into King County Jail for burglary and malicious harassment. Officers also completed a referral for the man to receive mental health services.