A 40-year-old Batavia resident kept Batavia PD at bay for more than an hour this afternoon while he remained locked in his apartment at 4 Miller Ave. following a report of a domestic incident.
Gordon D. Sprague eventually surrendered and was jailed without bail on charges of harassment, 2nd, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal mischief, 4th.
The incident began at 2:48 p.m. with a call to 9-1-1 about a physical domestic on Miller Avenue. As police responded, officers received an update that the male subject was continuing to physically attack the female victim.
Upon arrival, the subject reportedly went into the apartment on Miller Avenue and locked the doors.
Sheriff's Deputies provided backup, including the department's K-9 unit, and a police negotiator attempted to communicate with the suspect.
Sprague, behind locked doors, would not respond to either the negotiator or family members.
Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said at the scene that officers did not believe Sprague was armed or presented a threat, but the street was shut down in "overabundance of caution."
Eventually, Sprague agreed to exit the apartment and he was taken into custody.
He was allegedly found in possession of an illegal switchblade knife. Because of a prior criminal conviction, the weapon's charge was elevated to a felony.
Photo by Julia Ferrini.
