Police: Man Taken Into Custody by SWAT Team on Schwink Drive

The Meriden Police SWAT team surrounded a home on Schwink Drive Wednesday morning after a man inside refused to speak to police or leave his home following a dispute with his wife, police said Wednesday – eventually taking him into custody and transporting him to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. 

The event stemmed from a morning domestic disturbance at the home involving the couple, according to Police Spokesman Sgt. Darrin McKay, who briefed press Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of Paddock Ave. and Wilson Ave. Police are not releasing the names of either party or their address.

The wife left the home and called the police at about 10:53 a.m. Wednesday morning, saying she was worried about her husband.

"After speaking with his wife, we learned that the male was having a difficult time emotionally and she was concerned, due to the fact that there were multiple firearms in the house," McKay said in a press statement.

When officers tried to make contact with the man, who was still at the home, McKay said, he refused to speak to them.

Because weapons – a variety of guns – were reported in the home, and the city's SWAT team was drilling today, Meriden Police called in the team.

"...We learned that there were weapons in the home, specifically handguns, and a possible long gun," McKay said. "So we had to take all precautions necessary not knowing what his mentality was inside of the home and the fact that he wasn't willing to speak with us."

The SWAT team and Meriden patrol officers set up a perimeter around the home and crisis intervention workers as well were called to the scene, according to McKay. Emergency vehicles closed off access points to Schwink Drive from both Paddock Avenue and Swain Avenue. 

The man initially would not respond to phone calls from crisis intervention officers, but he was having a conversation via text messages with his wife. Police eventually did make contact with the man who said he would leave the home, McKay said.

Police took the man into custody without further incident after 1 p.m. He was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. An ambulence left the area of Schwink Dr. and Wilson Ave. at about 1:20 p.m. McKay said no charges had been filed against the man at this time, but may follow.

"Everything ended very peacefully, which is the way we wanted to see it come to a conclusion," McKay said. "Seeing as our SWAT team was out there practicing today it worked out great because their response time was very quick. In a normal situation you've got to wait for a team to assemble and get out to the scene."

The guns in the home were removed, and will be held by police for safekeeping, but may be returned to their owner following evaluation.

Last updated Wed. 4:56 p.m.