Police disarm distressed male

OPP Media Release

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During the past weekend Mattawa OPP responded to a Park Street address in Mattawa, Ontario, regarding a male in distress bearing weapons. The male was safely disarmed after a stand-off.

At approximately 7:40 p.m. on Saturday December 9th, 2006 police were dispatched to a Park Street address regarding a male who was bearing edged weapons and wanting to harm himself. Police responded and attempted to negotiate with him. The male became agitated at police causing officers to create a safe distance between them and the male. Negotiations lasted over an hour. For the safety of the neighbouring public, some area residents were evacuated during the stand-off.

The stand-off concluded when a member of the OPP North East Region Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.) safely subdued the male by deploying a Conducted Energy Weapon (C.E.W.) commonly known as the “TASER”. The male was disarmed and taken into custody.

28 year old Jason Gerrow of Mattawa, Ontario is charged with the following offences:

- Assault

- Possession of Weapons Dangerous

- Four (4) counts of Assault with a weapon

- Four (4) counts of Utter Threats to Cause Bodily Harm

Gerrow is in custody and will attend court in North Bay on Tuesday January 9th, 2007.

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