Friday, Jun. 19, 2009

Madison County Sheriff's Department investigates domestic disturbance in Cottage Hills

The Madison County Sheriff's Department was investigating a domestic dispute Friday that resulted in a two-hour long police standoff at an apartment in Cottage Hills and shut down a nearby highway.

The Sheriff's Department was called to respond to a domestic disturbance that may have involved a discharged firearm about 9 a.m. Friday at 21 Harvel Court, Apartment A, according to Capt. Brad Wells.

When deputies arrived, a female outside the apartment identified herself as the exgirlfriend of the resident. The male subject involved in the incident was still inside the apartment and would not exit, Wells said.

Other tenants of the apartment building reported hearing someone moving in the attic. Due to the possibility that a firearm was discharged, a tactical entry team helped evacuate the building, Wells said.

The male subject eventually made telephone contact with a relative who was near the scene. The relative gave the phone to detectives and the suspect walked out of the apartment about 11:05 a.m.

The police searched the apartment and found a felony amount of suspected cannabis, Wells said.

No one was seriously injured in the standoff.

Bethalto and East Alton police also responded to the scene.

"We had cops everywhere," Wells said.

As a safety precaution, police blocked traffic.

"Right before the suspect came out, I had shut down Illinois Route 140," Wells explained. "Just because if this guy had a gun, obviously I didn't want anyone driving by."

At one time, the couple had shared the apartment. Recently, the woman had moved out, Wells said.

Hours before the standoff began, police had been asked to disregard a call about a domestic disturbance at that address. The original call came about 6:15 a.m. But before deputies could arrive, a female called back and asked the deputies to disregard the response. No one could be reached by telephone or at the door at the apartment when deputies arrived.

"There wasn't any evidence at all that caused us to kick in the door or anything," Wells said of the initial response at the apartment.

Both the man and woman involved in the disturbance were being held in Madison County Jail pending review by the Madison County State's Attorney's Office.

"We'll present the case to the state's attorney in its entirety if they choose to charge both, that'll be determined," Wells said. "We do anticipate criminal charges."