Melbourne police arrested a man who barricaded himself inside his home for about six hours.
- Standoff in Melbourne at home near Holland Street
- Man barricaded himself after police responded to battery call
Police say Joseph Brooks, 34, was visiting the victim at the home near Holland Street Friday afternoon. The victim says he became irrational after taking his clothes off. The victim says Brooks struck her, threatened her with a gun and committed sexual battery.
The victim escaped the home and called police at a neighbor's house. When police arrived, they say Brooks refused to leave the house.
Dozens more officers, some heavily armed with protective gear, surrounded the house as negotiators tried to convince Brooks to give himself up.
Eau Gallie Boulevard was blocked off between Holland Street and Croton Road for several hours.
SUSPECT IN CUSTODY: @MelbournePolice arrest man who kept them in standoff for 6 hours. More details @MyNews13 hear tear gas being fired pic.twitter.com/e19DJ2zAwh
— Greg Pallone (@gpallone13) May 26, 2017
After searching the home with a robot, police decided to move in with tear gas just before 7:30 p.m.
Moments later Brooks came out naked and was taken into custody.