Man jailed after standoff

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

GREENCASTLE -- A Monday night standoff between police and a Greencastle man ended without incident.

Henry N. Wallen, 57, will be arraigned today in Putnam County Superior Court for two charges of Class D felony pointing a firearm and two charges of Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement. He has been lodged at the Putnam County Jail since his arrest.

Greencastle Police Department Chief Tom Sutherlin said police were dispatched to Wallen's residence at 500 Maple Ave., Apt. D, at around 9:50 p.m. Monday in reference to a man with a gun.

"The caller advised Putnam County 911 dispatch that she had just fled the residence after being threatened with a firearm," Sutherlin said.

Police arrived at the scene and surmised that Wallen had been holding his wife hostage, but had released her. Wallen then barricaded himself in the apartment, and told police he had weapons and would shoot if police entered.

The Putnam County Emergency Response Team, along with negotiators, were called to the scene.

"For several hours, negotiator Detective Capt. Randy Seipel talked with (Wallen) on the phone while nearby neighbors were evacuated from their homes by the Emergency Response Team," Sutherlin said.

Emergency Response Team members, assisted by representatives from the Plainfield Emergency Response Team, entered the residence and took Wallen into custody without incident. Sutherlin said several weapons were found inside the residence.

Wallen was taken to the Putnam County Hospital for observation and was then booked into the jail.

"I am very happy with the outcome of the situation," Sutherlin said. "All the agencies worked well together and everyone returned home safely."

Also assisting at the scene were representatives from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Greencastle Fire Department, Putnam County Operation Life, the American Red Cross, DePauw Police Department and Plainfield Police Department.

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  • What the heck Henry?

    -- Posted by dorindaJ on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 6:38 PM
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