By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
CONNEAUT — Law enforcement officers from two agencies teamed to stop an armed man who was threatening suicide at the Interstate 90 truck weigh scales earlier this week, according to reports.
The distraught man, carrying a loaded .38 revolver, dropped the weapon and surrendered to Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, according to a press release.
The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. Monday at the weigh scales, located just inside the Ohio line, said Jon Arcaro, Conneaut Public Safety director. The man placed a 911 call that was directed to Conneaut police dispatchers.
The man, who lives in Youngstown, called because he wanted to notify his family of his intentions, Arcaro said.
The OHP was notified because the scales sit on state property, Arcaro said. A trained negotiator with the Conneaut Police Department talked to the man until troopers arrived, he said. At the scene, troopers made several attempts to get the man’s attention, then was able to speak with him through the Conneaut dispatcher with the help of an OHP dispatcher, according to the release. The man was transported to a mental health facility for evaluation, troopers said in the statement.
The scales are closed indefinitely pending repair work. The adjoining tourist information center is also temporarily closed for electrical upgrades.
The man drove around barricades meant to keep westbound traffic off the premises, Arcaro said.
