Credit: Bristol Twp. Police
When Lawrence Rouse allegedly engaged in an hours-long standoff with SWAT operators inside the home he shared with his ailing mother last month, a Lenco Bearcat armed truck rushed to the scene from Doylestown. Now, Rouse is headed to Doylestown on charges related to the standoff.
Lawrence Rouse, 58,waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday. He will next be arraigned in Doylestown on charges of terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassment.
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The standoff allegedly began Friday, January 2 when Bristol Township officers went to serve a mental health commitment for Rouse at 12 Ice Pond Lane in Levittown after a family member had notified them he had “become increasingly distanced from his siblings, limiting their ability to check on their mother,” police said. The mother was 90 years old and on hospice for dementia.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
When Rouse reportedly barricaded himself inside the home, the SWAT team was called out. Several nearby residences were also evacuated.
Police said they knew Rouse had several firearms in the house.
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After a period of no communication and attempts to hail Rouse with a loudspeaker, Rouse eventually was contacted by negotiators and spoke with them starting around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, January 3.
SWAT operators from the lower and central part of Bucks County were able to break a front window and arrest Rouse shortly before daybreak, according to court papers and police officials.
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Both Rouse and his mother were unharmed.
Acting Chief of Police Ralph Johnson said last month that a search warrant uncovered about 30 weapons in several gun safes located throughout the house.
Court records show Rouse is free after posting 10 percent of his $500,000 bail.
