DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A man has been arrested after an hours-long police standoff in Deerfield Township that prompted emergency alerts to be sent out to all Warren County residents and others from surrounding counties, Warren County Sheriff Barry Riley told WCPO.
Riley said officers went to a residence on Spring Mill Way in the Landen area around noon to execute an arrest warrant on 32-year-old Denzelle Pouncy. Pouncy had active warrants on charges of strangulation and assault after officers were dispatched Friday night to UC West Chester for a report of an assault.
The Warren County Tactical Response Unit breached the front door of the residence with explosives before making entry and taking Pouncy into custody, Riley said. He also said three others were taken out of the residence, including Pouncy's fiancée. No one was injured and no shots were fired during the breach, Riley said.
After police left the scene, a WCPO crew saw a damaged doorway at a residence along Spring Mill Way.
Riley said Pouncy is also currently on parole and has a long criminal history, including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated drug trafficking, weapons charges and more.
Neighbors we spoke to said it's usually a safe and quiet area.
"Never seen anything like this," said David Fritz, who lives nearby. "Not even close."
Learn more about the standoff in the video below:
The sheriff's office initially called the standoff an "active situation," but specified that there was no threat to the community.
A WCPO crew saw cruisers from multiple law enforcement agencies, including Deerfield Fire and Rescue, Mason Fire and Rescue, Monroe Police, Deerfield Township police and more.
Warren County EMA said in a press release that the alert regarding the incident in the Landen area was accidentally sent out to a much wider area due to "a technical malfunction." Riley specified that they believe it was a "computer glitch," not human error.
"The dispatcher who sent it out today is one of the most experienced, hardest-working, best dispatchers I know in the business," said Riley. "Not his fault."
The alert was not only sent to all Warren County residents, but also to some people in surrounding counties such as Hamilton, Butler, Clinton, Clermont and Greene counties.
It even went to Symmes Township resident William Birchwell. We spoke to him at the scene, where he said he wanted to see what was going on.
"If you're at home and you see a notification that's very vague, like 'keep doors and windows locked,' you always think the worst case," said Birchwell.
"The technical issue with IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) is currently being thoroughly investigated with local, state and federal partners," Warren County EMA said.
The original alert to residents, which went out around 12:30 p.m., called for everyone to shelter in place.
"Emergency Alert. Secure doors and windows. Additional Details. Remain inside with doors secured," the alert reads.
A follow-up alert told residents that this was only meant for those in Deerfield Township. It also asked residents not to call 911.
A third alert, sent roughly at 1:30 p.m., told residents the safety alert was canceled.
"Cancel safety alert, situation is focused at Spring Mill Way, Deerfield Twp. No threats to rest of Warren County," the alert said.
