Police charge man over run-in with neighbor

Michael Roknick, The Herald, Sharon, Pa.
·2 min read

Sep. 29—COOLSPRING TOWNSHIP — State police are filing criminal charges against a Coolspring Township man who engaged in a seven-hour standoff Thursday with law enforcement after reportedly threatening a neighbor with a gun.

Just before noon Thursday Robert Suchy, 63, of 19, Tripplewood Drive, entered a neighbor's home, police said in a news release.

Suchy is charged with burglary, attempted kidnapping and simple assault stemming from the incident with his neighbor, police said.

Police won't file criminal charges against him dealing with the standoff, Mercer County District Attorney Peter Acker said in a Friday news release.

"The victim reported that the actor (Suchy) had a handgun with him and attempted to force him to come with him," police said. "When the victim attempted to pull away, the actor pointed the firearm at his person."

The neighbor was able to flee his home and called 911, police said.

When arriving, police said they saw Suchy inside his home and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

"The actor failed to comply with numerous requests for him to exit the residence peacefully and barricaded himself inside the residence," police said.

State police from the Mercer barracks called in a Special Emergency Response Team, which surrounded the home, police said. Troopers worked to evacuate residents in the area or had them shelter in place.

Troopers entered Suchy's home about 7 p.m. and took him into custody, police said.

"Several loaded firearms were recovered within proximity of the actor's location when he was taken into custody," police said. "Additional firearms were recovered from the residence upon conclusion of the incident."

An ambulance took Suchy to Sharon Regional Medical Center for psychological evaluation which at a minimum would likely take several days, Acker said Thursday.

Acker backed the state police move to decline prosecution in the standoff.

"I concur with that decision," he said.

On Thursday the district attorney said neither Suchy nor police discharged firearms, though police used tear gas to incapacitate him.

During the standoff, Suchy's friends, family members said he was distraught over the death of his wife nearly two years ago.

NOTE: All defendants should be considered innocent until proven or adjudicated guilty in court.