News

Police standoff with Villa Park homeowner ends peacefully

Posted March 18, 2009 11:00 pm

Lee Filas

Scene from a standoff in Villa Park. Daniel White | Staff Photographer

A four-hour standoff between Villa Park police and a 52-year-old male ended peacefully Wednesday morning when the man turned himself into police.

Communicating only through a news release, police said charges are not being considered at this time for the unidentified man. The standoff started at 5:44 a.m. near Ardmore and Belden avenues.

Villa Park officers responded to a well-being check at the unidentified house when the man barricaded himself in the home, the release stated. The man was armed with handguns and shotguns and began making threats of harm, though police did not say whether the gunman was threatening police or himself.

The area surrounding the home was secured, police said, and assistance from the Northern Illinois Police Action System and other police department was requested. Police said they talked to the resident at 9:44 a.m., and he peacefully surrendered.

The incident occurred near Twin Lakes Park, a normally quiet neighborhood, said resident Hector Feliciano.

"What I saw today was extremely shocking," he said. "I couldn't believe what was going on when I woke up and saw it this morning."

A standoff ends as police enter the home located at the corner of Belden and Princeton in Villa Park. The home is currently for sale on the market. Daniel White | Staff Photographer

Hector Feliciano, a neighbor, rides his bike and says that the gunman who lived in the blue house on the corner build the house by hand, himself. "He didn't bother anybody. Every time you'd pass by the house ... he'd give you a little friendly hello salute." Daniel White | Staff Photographer

A police standoff continues with numerous departments staging north of Wild Fire and Yale Streets in Villa Park. Initial units responded to Belden and Princeton earlier this morning. Daniel White | Staff Photographer

A standoff ends as police and other NIPAS officers wrap up their work at the corner of Belden and Princeton in Villa Park. Daniel White | Staff Photographer

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