Belfast man arrested after threatening police with ax
BELFAST — A Belfast man was arrested after threatening police with a splitting maul just before 11 p.m. Feb. 24, according to Belfast Police Sergeant Matthew Cook.
Raymond Stover, 32, has been charged with disorderly conduct, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, terrorizing and refusing to submit to arrest or detention as a result of the incident.
Stover first came to police attention after a neighbor reported a noise disturbance, something Cook said has been an ongoing issue, with an identical call made last week.
After arriving at the residence, Cook said Stover was warned to turn his music down, and that if police had to return to the scene again that night he would be arrested.
Cook said as he and Officer Lew Dyer walked away from the scene, the music started back up again louder than it had been before. By the time they were a handful of houses away from the scene the complainant had called to report another disturbance.
When officers arrived back at the scene they saw that Stover, who was visible through windows, had removed his shirt and was pacing with a walking stick. He began yelling threats at officers after Cook knocked on the door.
Officers also noticed a third party in the home who made it known through the window he wanted no part in the confrontation and secured Stover’s dogs.
Stover failed to comply with orders to drop the stick and come to the door, eventually putting the walking stick down and picking up a splitting maul, and continuing to pace and yell threats at police.
Officers waited until the civilian was away from the door before Cook kicked it in and tased Stover, who was placed in handcuffs by Dyer.
Stover, who sustained minor injuries, was taken to the hospital where he remained combative and continued to make threats.
After doctors evaluated his physical and mental condition, Stover was cleared and taken to jail.
Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com
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