14-Hour Standoff Shut Down Hatboro Business District

HATBORO, PA —The 14-hour standoff that ended with a borough man in custody crippled the York Road business district for several hours Wednesday.

"It couldn't have happened in a worse spot," Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner told Patch Thursday. "It was right in the heart of the business district."

Gardner said that formal charges against the 35-year-old borough man who held authorities at bay probably won't be filed for a few days, possibly by early next week, as the suspect undergoes a medical evaluation and has yet to be arraigned.

The standoff began at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday after the man barricaded himself inside a York Road apartment and began pointing a firearm at motorists on York Road. It ended when the suspect was taken into custody around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday after a SWAT team entered the apartment and found the suspect in the bathroom.

"We don't have the luxury of picking where things happen," the chief said.

York Road was closed between Byberry and Montgomery roads, which is the main business district. Hatboro-Horsham schools were closed for the day as well as a precaution.

Gardner said he had hoped the standoff could have been resolved before businesses opened on the busy York Road stretch around 9 a.m. But the suspect was unresponsive to communication with authorities.

"We were aware of the sensitivities of the businesses," the chief said. "We have a great community down here. They understood what was going on. We certainly realized the impact on people's daily lives and thank them for their cooperation."

State Rep. Nancy Guenst had to close her York Road office for a part of the day. But she said her staff was able to work virtually, answering emails, and checking phone messages.

She said her office reopened at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Several businesses took to social media to explain the situation and apologize for the inconvenience.

Lochel's Bakery posted on Facebook that it would be open until 7 p.m. Wednesday for people seeking St. Patrick's Day for donuts, pastries, and other baked goods.

"Thanks for your patience this morning," Lochel's told customers. "Thanks to the Hatboro Police Department and all surrounding police departments for always serving to protect us."

Mayor Tim Schultz told Patch Thursday said that some businesses expressed disappointment about being closed for the standoff. But Schultz said it was one day compared to the pandemic when businesses were closed for three straight months.

"It was right smack in the middle of the borough, but we had no choice," the mayor said. "We need to look at it like a snow day for our schools and businesses. If the businesses were open and something would have happened, it would be on our shoulders."

The mayor said that he was impressed with the professionalism shown by the police department and SWAT teams and the understanding of residents and businesses.

"There's no question it was a loss for businesses," the mayor said. "We can't make up for the day. But we put public safety over profit."