Man arrested after six-hour police standoff 11/17/2009 8:32 PM
By KAREN DAILY Staff writer
A 50-year-old North Augusta man has been taken into police custody after a six-hour standoff with police that started shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, officials said.
North Augusta Public Safety officers were first notified by phone that Jeffrey A. Burlage, 50, of 110 Womrath Court, had threatened to kill himself and any other officer who went to his residence.
Lt. Tim Pearson, a Public Safety spokesperson, said the veterans hospital had contacted the police to report the threats.
At the Womrath Court residence, officers found that Burlage had barricaded himself in his residence.
Officers maintained communication with Burlage over several hours in an attempt to help him receive medical attention.
Police talked with him over the phone and asked for the assistance of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to negotiate with the man.
Burlage refused all assistance.
During phone negotiations, he threatened to kill North Augusta Public Safety Director John Thomas.
As a result of this threat, officers obtained a warrant on the charge of threatening a public official.
As SLED deployed their robotics to help communicate with the man and SWAT members began their approach to the suspect's residence, Burlage voluntarily exited the front door at 3:15 p.m. and surrendered to authorities, Pearson said.
No shots were fired. No injuries were reported.
Burlage was arrested and transported to North Augusta Public Safety headquarters and booked.
Burlage will be transported to the Aiken County Detention Center where North Augusta officers will work with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office to insure that Burlage will be offered mental health assistance, Pearson said.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:29 PM
Comment Title: special person
If you are going to make fun of the people that waste their time and money to protect your fat lazy beer drinking butt at the very least learn how to spell. (heres your sign)
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 4:33 PM
Comment Title: one big mess, anybody smell a fish ? lets sum it up
hospital called by man---- needs help, mad at law enforcement,--- hospital then decides to send law enforement, -----law enforcement knows man is appearently off med's and is unstable so they call more law enforcement,------ man gets really mad and threathens one verbally over the phone (not a warning shot over the bow?),------ law inforcement sees a loophole and ask for warrent, arrest man...... so he can get medical help? i was barricaded in my house all day saturday and said if anyone gets between me and college football they were goners (i have a bow and arrow too!).... police didnt care, never saw them.......
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