A 53-year-old man was apprehended Monday afternoon after a more than hour-long armed standoff with police at a Richland Hills home that had already been sealed off as evidence in a weekend arson investigation, authorities said.
Officers were dispatched to the 2800 block of Dogwood Park Drive around 4:34 p.m. after receiving reports of a criminal trespass violation. According to the Richland Hills Police Department, entrance to the home was limited due to an ongoing arson investigation into a fire that happened Saturday.
The suspect, William Chauncy, was apparently armed when officers arrived, pointing a revolver out the window of the modest blue house he rented, according to police. Before Chauncy exited the apartment, officers set up a perimeter and began negotiations. “A less-lethal device was used during the arrest. “It appeared to be a dangerous situation,” stated Sheena McEachran, Public Information Officer for the Richland Hills Police Department.
Paramedics medically cleared Chauncy at the scene before transporting him to the Joint Detention Center in North Richland Hills. The Haltom City Police Department supported Richland Hills cops during the incident.
Neighbors described a chaotic scenario in which police and SWAT troops swarmed on the residential street from all directions. Jessica Tennison, whose family has lived next door for 25 years, said she saw officers circle the block and heard them repeatedly tell Chauncy to drop his weapon. She claimed he walked in and out of the house, briefly appearing on the street and then in the front yard, obviously mocking authorities until eventually complying after the less-lethal round was shot.
The standoff is linked to a suspected arson on the same property over the weekend. Neighbors reported seeing smoke pouring from the roof on Saturday, and the person fled before firemen arrived. Authorities have since red-tagged the home, declaring it condemned and barring entry.
Tennison said she believes she knows what started the fire. She stated that Chauncy received an eviction notice on May 2nd, which she claimed was conveyed to her by Chauncy. The property has been a source of concern for local people.We don’t know who she’ll rent out to next. It could be someone far worse than him. That’s scary,” said Jessica Tennison, a neighbor.
The Tarrant County Fire Marshal’s Office is in charge of the arson investigation.
In addition to the criminal trespass allegation, Chauncy is charged with dangerous conduct and unauthorized possession of a firearm by a felon. Police also revealed Monday that Chauncy was on parole at the time of the standoff, adding a parole violation to his list of legal issues.
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