Levittown Man Convicted In March Standoff Case

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office announced Monday the convinction of a levittowan man who was involved in a police stand off in March

Russsell Treloar, 52, of Levittown, was convicted by Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a felon, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct after a brief, nonjury trial, the DA's office said.

Bateman deferred sentencing to allow Treloar’s defense attorney to gather mitigating information, the DA's office said.

According to the DA's office, Treloar was arrested on March 28 after an eight-hours stand off with Bensalem Police at the Mall Motel on Old Lincoln Highway, where Treloar – who was armed with a handgun and threatening to kill himself – had barricaded himself into a room that morning.

A caller told 911 dispatchers that Treloar was yelling that police had been watching him and would not tell him why, the DA's office said.

Police arrived at the motel at about 7:30 a.m., Treloar told them that he had a gun and that he either was going to commit suicide or force police to shoot him to death, court documents said.

At about 4 p.m., members of a SWAT team were able to subdue Treloar with the use of tear gas, a Taser and a round of nonlethal foam ammunition, the DA's office said.

Deputy District Attorney Antonetta Stancu, who prosecuted the case, praised the effort and restraint displayed by Bensalem police and the SWAT team members, the DA's office said.

"It was only through their patience in this eight-hour ordeal that they were able to protect the community and prevent a major tragedy," Stancu said in a statement. "If not for their talent and dedication, things could have ended very differently."

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