Shoplifter threatens suicide during police standoff
Rockwall TX January 4 2019 A shoplifting suspect threatening suicide caused a brief lockdown at the Kohl’s department store and nearby Rochell Elementary campus Wednesday afternoon, bit Rockwall police quickly diffused the situation and arrested the suspect with no injuries.
According to RPD Public Information Officer Sergeant Aaron McGrew, the suspect, who has yet to be named, was reported for alleged shoplifting inside Kohl’s. At least one officer responded, but before the suspect could be detained, he fled to his vehicle in the parking lot and locked himself inside, police said.
McGrew said the man then held a knife to his own throat, threatening suicide if officers attempted to detain him.
Police negotiators were immediately called to the scene. After roughly 30 minutes of back-and-forth, the man agreed to drop the knife and submit to police custody.
During the altercation, Kohl’s was put on lockdown and the nearby Rochell Elementary School, less than a quarter mile from Kohl’s, was placed on a temporary lock-in, per the recommendation of RPD officers.
Rockwall ISD Chief Communications Officer Renae Murphy said that the district works closely with the RPD and the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office, which make recommendations in the event of a safety threat near a campus.
According to Murphy, the department advised that Rochell be put in “lock-in” status, which is a step down from a full lockdown. During a lock-in, students and teachers still move about the building normally, but nobody is allowed to enter or leave the building.
Murphy added that parents of Rochell Elementary students should have received two email notifications of the lock-in status, and any that didn’t should contact the school to confirm that their contact information with the district is up-to-date.
In a statement released by RPD this afternoon, McGrew said that officers are still investigating the theft allegations, and that the suspect in custody was taken to an area mental health facility for evaluation. No information on the suspect’s identity or possible charges is available at this time.
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