Tear gas used to arrest Springfield Twp. man

2/26/2006

A Springfield Township man, who barricaded himself inside his home for more than three hours Friday, was arrested after authorities used tear gas to subdue him.

Matthew Weltin, 36, of 20 Dunderry Lane was charged with three counts of felonious assault on a police officer, said Lt. Donald Atkinson of the Lucas County Sheriff s Office.

Deputies arrived at Mr. Weltin s home at 6:30 p.m. and found him barricaded inside the house alone. Police were called to the residence after he had an altercation with his wife. Mr. Weltin threatened deputies with a knife, threw things at them from a window, and flooded the house, Lieutenant Atkinson said.

When authorities entered the house, the suspect locked himself inside a bathroom and continued to taunt deputies. He eventually succumbed to the tear gas and was taken into custody.