A California man was arrested in Portage after threatening a relative with a shotgun, prompting a SWAT standoff and evacuation of nearby homes
California Man Arrested After Threatening Relative with Shotgun
PORTAGE, Ind. – A man from California was arrested on Sunday afternoon in northwest Indiana. Police say he threatened a relative with a shotgun, leading to a standoff with SWAT.
Incident Details
| Time | Location | Suspect | Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:14 p.m. | 1300 block of Camelot Manor | Benjamin Allison, 29, Montrose, California | Level 6 felony: pointing a loaded firearm; Level 5 felony: intimidation with a deadly weapon |
Portage police received a call around 2:14 p.m. about an intoxicated man with a shotgun making threats. The man was identified as 29-year-old Benjamin Allison from Montrose, California.
The homeowner, a relative of Allison, had allowed him to stay temporarily. The day before, the homeowner asked Allison to leave, but he did not.
On Sunday, the homeowner again told Allison he needed to leave, but he refused. When the homeowner and his wife returned, they found Allison still inside and heavily intoxicated. During an argument, Allison allegedly got a shotgun, pointed it at the homeowner, and threatened him.
The homeowner and his wife managed to leave the house unharmed. When officers arrived, they tried to contact Allison by phone and loudspeaker, but he did not respond.
Nearby residents were notified and asked to evacuate. About 30 minutes later, crisis negotiators and SWAT were called in. Negotiators reached Allison by phone, but he refused to surrender.
After about an hour, police used chemical agents. Five minutes later, Allison exited the home and was taken into custody. Police checked him by medical personnel at the scene before taking him to the Porter County Jail.
A loaded 12-gauge shotgun was recovered from the home. Allison faces charges of pointing a loaded firearm at a person and intimidation while using a deadly weapon.
